|
Porcupines are rodents belonging to the Erethizontidae family. One of the most feared animals in North America, porcupines have been plagued by bad reputations and exaggerated storytelling.
CHARACTERISTICS
Porcupines are quill bearers, known and feared for their long, sharp, barbed quills located on their body. The quills of the porcupine detach with ease, embedding into the skin of predators. When this animal feels threatened, it buries its snout between its front legs and turns around, so that its rear is facing the enemy. When attacked, the porcupine thrusts its tail into the enemy, at which time several quills disengage and attach themselves to the threat. To some animals, the quills are able to work themselves under the skin, puncturing vital organs and causing death or life threatening infections. This is uncommon, however.
Porcupines are slow-moving animals which travel through heavily wooded areas in North America and Canada. The second largest rodent in North America, porcupines have small heads, obese bodies, arching backs and short, stocky legs. Porcupines vary in size from 25-40 inches long, and weighing from 10-45 pounds.
Porcupines possess upwards of 30, 000 quills, which are spaced closely together in between dark, course fur. Quills are 3-inches long and black in color, with bright yellowish tips.
Porcupines have 5 toes on the back feet and 4 toes on the front. Hind feet have long, curved claws and thick pads, which leave distinctive markings.
The porcupine has two distinct front teeth, which are used for gnawing. The two teeth continuously grow through out the course of the porcupines life.
Porcupines are solitary creatures, often found traveling alone. They are not anti-social, however. Porcupines do interact with other animals.
EATING HABITS
Porcupines are vegetarians, feeding on leaves, twigs, green plants and bark. During cold winter months, porcupines exist entirely on twigs and bark.
MATING HABITS
Fall and Winter months are prime breeding seasons for the porcupine. A traditional courtship ritual involves the male squeaking out a mating call. Females respond with a call of their own. Nose rubbing begins as the female and the male approach each other.
One to two baby porcupines are born in each litter after a 7-month gestation period. The young have soft quills, fine hair, and closed eyes. Eyes open within the first 10 days of life, and as the young's quills harden, they begin to forage for food.
LIFESPAN
Porcupines in the wild live 5-6 years. Those in captivity have a life expectancy of 9-11 years.
PORCUPINE FACTS
PORCUPINES do not throw their quills into a predator. By slapping their tale at the enemy, quills are released.
PORCUPINES do not go in search of a victim to injure. They attack only out of self preservation.
THE quills on the baby porcupine begin to harden during their first hour of life.
PORCUPINES frequently chew on items like canoe paddles, wooden handled tools and wooden playground equipment because of their love of salt.
PORCUPINES are often housed in public zoos because of their kind, friendly demeanor.
| 
