North American Porcupine

The porcupine is a member of the rodent family and possesses the large, constantly growing incisors characteristic of it's smaller cousins. Size ranges from 4.5-18 kg (10-40 lbs.) and 63-101 cm (25-40 in.)in length. Body is large and round with compact feet and head. Tail is thick and powerful and can be used as a weapon. Body color is dark brown or black with white quill tips.

Porcupines are herbivores. Diet consists mainly of twigs, roots and foliage in summer and conifer needles and tree bark in the winter. They are often considered a pest due to causing damage to trees and a habit of eating man made wooden objects, especially salty items like axe handles and plywood.

The upper parts are covered in quills, which are stiff hollow modified hairs. The Porcupine cannot throw its quills, but can raise them to an upright position that allows them to easily detach and become stuck in an attacker. Once a quill has entered the skin, short barbs pull the quill farther into the wound.

Porcupines breed (very carefully!) in the fall and young are born in the spring. Generally only one baby is born. Porcupines are born with soft quills, but harden only a few hours after birth. They have few predators besides the fisher, who has become skilled at flipping the Porcupine over and attacking the unprotected belly.

Porcupines are common in the upper two thirds of Minnesota. Our porcupine is a male and came from northern Michigan where he was found by a zookeeper and bottle fed. He is currently on display at our Forest Lake campus.