Prickly Critter

I haven’t seen one of these in a while. A couple of decades ago, one casually strolled through our yard like he owned the joint. As a dog owner, I put these ahead of skunks as least-desired wildlife encounters.

The name for this critter ultimately comes from Latin words meaning “spiny pig,” although it shares no biological connection with pigs. It is a rodent; in fact, the second-largest rodent on the continent, second only to the beaver.

Meet Erethizon dorsatum — the North American Porcupine. These large rodents have coats of modified hairs composed primarily of keratin, with some of those hairs forming sharp quills that serve as a defense against predators.

There are two families of porcupines in the world. Ours belong to the New World family, which ranges from North America to northern South America. Porcupines indigenous to parts of Europe, Asia and Africa belong to the Old World family. The two groups are distinct families, with New World porcupines generally smaller and notably adapted to climbing trees. Old World porcupines are primarily terrestrial and many are nocturnal.

Naturally, the porcupine can go about its business without being in a hurry. From the video, you can note the short, stocky body, short legs and leisurely sauntering gait. Quills are dark brown to black, with the longest quills and guard hairs often having pale or white tips. The feet are equipped with strong, curved claws well adapted for climbing. Porcupines commonly shelter in hollow trees, fallen logs, rock crevices and other natural cavities.

This is an herbivore, preferring tree leaves and buds, green plants and the soft inner bark of trees. The female is receptive to breeding for only about 8–12 hours in October-November, with gestation taking a very long seven months. A single youngster is born in May or June. A newborn porcupette (yes, that’s the name) comes fully equipped with quills, erupted teeth and eyes open. It begins eating solid food very early, is weaned after about a month and generally becomes independent by late summer or early autumn.

Porcupines can be a nuisance as a consequence of their salt-seeking behavior and will gnaw on anything with sodium deposits, including tools like axe handles that have human perspiration on them. Many years ago, it was a porcupine that gnawed the high-pressure transmission lines on my Toyota 4Runner for the accumulated road salt. A delicacy, I suspect.

Fast Facts: The porcupine has relatively few natural predators. Among them, the fisher is particularly well known for hunting and killing porcupines; large raptors such as the Great Horned Owl can also take them. Like mice, beavers and squirrels, a porcupine’s front incisors never stop growing and must be worn down by gnawing. Porcupines do not throw their quills.