Erethizontidae

Erethizontidae, the New World porcupines, is a family of large arboreal rodents distinguished by spiny coverings mixed with long soft hair, found across forests and wooded regions from North America into northern South America. Three living genera, Erethizon, Coendou and Chaetomys, hold about 21 species ranging from the small prehensile tailed porcupines of around 900 grams to the much larger North American porcupine at up to 18 kilograms. Many species use a prehensile tail to help balance in trees.