Structure of phytobezoars found in the stomach of a crested porcupine, Hystrix cristata L., 1758

In this note we describe for the first time the inner structure of bezoars found in the stomach of a free-living crested porcupine. These foreign bodies were composed by three concentric layers made up of vegetal matter. The presence of nettle trichomes in the central core, probably due to an accidental ingestion, may have determined the development of these foreign bodies.