erethizontid

erethizontid (plural erethizontids)

1. (zoology) Any of the New World porcupines comprising the family Erethizontidae.
   • 1987, Joseph F. Merritt, Guide to the Mammals of Pennsylvan‎, page 235:

     Erethizontids are primarily herbivorous. […] With their elaborate courtship behavior, the erethizontids are a fascinating group of mammals.

   • 2010, M. G. Vucetich, A. G. Kramarz, A. M. Candela, “14: Colhuehuapian rodents from Gran Barranca and other Patagonian localities: the state of the art”, in Richard H. Madden, editor, The Paleontology of Gran Barranca, page 212:

     The erethizontids, with four genera (including eight species) achieved their greatest known diversity, representing 22% of the total diversity.

   • 2010, Peter S. Ungar, Mammal Teeth: Origin, Evolution, and Diversity‎, page 212:

     Erethizontids inhabit a broad variety of habitats, from tundra to the tropics and from dense forests to open settings.

• (any species of family Erethizontidae): New World porcupine