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#6 - The Common Porcupine
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The North American Porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum, is a large, nocturnal, non-aggressive, solitary rodent most easily recognized by its quills. It is perhaps one of the best-known mammals on the continent.
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A porcupine has over 30,000 quills with the longest on its back and tail; the shortest on its face. They cover its entire body, except for the stomach, legs and muzzle. The quills are actually a form of hair and are hollow with barbed tips. Contrary to popular belief, the porcupine is unable to shoot its quills, but does use them as a defensive tactic. When threatened a porcupine will raise its back and lash out its tail. If an animal hits or attacks the porcupine it can expect are rather unpleasant result.
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The Porcupine, thanks to its claw-like toes, loves to climb trees and does so easily. You may actually miss spotting a Porcupine, thinking that a large black ball on a tree top is something else completely different.
Scratch marks in the bark of a tree is evidence that a Porcupine has been by. |
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This fascinating creature is a herbivore, feeding on leaves, green plants, twigs and even bark which it likes to gnaw as its teeth are constantly growing. |
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| Dereila Nature Inn Home > Woodlands Pathway > Mammals Wildzone > Walking in the Wild > The Common Porcupine |
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