Porcupine

The name “porcupine” means “one who rises up in anger.”  Fitting, since the quills of this large rodent does just that. They are also known as “quill pigs” or “porkies.”

Identifying a porcupine

Largest species of the porcupine family, North America porcupines can grow up to 35lbs.

Porcupines are unmistakable due to up to 30,000 dangerously sharp quills mixed with soft hair. When serene and unthreatened, these quills lie flat, but when a predator approaches to inquire about this potential fuzzy meal, it will likely be deterred from the display of pointed quills. However, if the predator insists, it may walk away with these quills piercing its snout or body. This attack is extremely painful and potentially fatal.

Quills are not thrown or projected, contrary to popular myth. They are hollow, and detach easily from the porcupine once it punctures an assailant. Quills also have backward pointing barbs on the end that enable them to work deeper into the flesh; this also makes removal very difficult. Cutting the opposite ends of the quills, however, will make removal easier due to the break in vacuum pressure created by the hollow center.

Damage 

Damage caused by porcupines comes from their appetite for wood, vegetation, and fruit.  Porcupines are excellent climbers, reaching upper branches with ease. Girdling trunks of and branches expose trees to secondary effects such as disease and provide opportunity for other animals to feed on the exposed sapwood.

Further, this exposure can ultimately kill the tree, providing a great shelter and nest sites for many animals. These effects can devastate young trees and tree farms.

Habitat

Porcupines are commonly found in the coniferous forests of western and North America. They typically reside in these areas, however, they can be found nearly anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.

Life Cycle

The gestation period of a porcupine is 7 months. They produce 1 to 4 offspring in the spring. Interestingly, the quills of newborn porcupine are soft and harden just days after birth. They are on their own just a few months later and can live up to 7 yrs in the wild.

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