Coendou longicaudatus Daudin, 1802

Common and Scientific Names

The Amazonian long-tailed porcupine, with the scientific name Coendou longicaudatus, is also commonly called the Cerrado's long-tailed porcupine.

Taxonomic Classification

It is a rodent species that belongs to Erethizontidae, the family of New World porcupines.

Distribution and Initial Description

This species is found across most of South America, and was first formally described by François Marie Daudin in 1802.

Historical Taxonomic Placement

For a period, Coendou longicaudatus was classified as a subspecies of the Brazilian porcupine, Coendou prehensilis.

2021 Taxonomic Split

In 2021, the taxon previously recognized as Coendou prehensilis was split into three separate species: the Brazilian porcupine Coendou prehensilis, the Amazonian long-tailed porcupine Coendou longicaudatus, and the Baturite porcupine Coendou baturitensis.

Known Health and Trait Anomalies

Individuals of this species have been recorded to show albinism, and the species is susceptible to multiple types of fungal infections.