In Dakshina Kannada region of Kamataka, porcupines are causing damage to cultivated coconut, arecanut and oil palm plantations (Chakravarthy, 1994). Damage occurs to coconut seedlings up to matured palms throughout the year. The initial and important symptom of injury to palms is bark stripping or debarking. Since cultivated palms are of high commercial value and the area under cultivation of palms is rapidly increasing in South India, protection of palms from porcupine damage is of concern. Studies on the basic aspects of porcupine feeding behavior and pest status are needed (Chakravarthy et. al., 2003).
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