Common Porcupine

Description:

Length- 33 in. (though I don't ever remember seeing a porcupine that large!) Tall- 8 in. Blackish. Long wiry guard hairs on front half of body; up to 30,000 shorter heavier quills (hairs modified into sharp, mostly hollow spines) on front of body but mainly on rump and longish, rounded tail; underfur long, soft, wooly. Back high arching legs short. Soles of feet knobbed; claws long, curved, walks pigeon toed on ground. Voice- squeals and grunts Eats- green plants, and twigs, buds and bark of trees; sometimes damages wooden buildings and poles Breeding- One young. April- June Mainly nocturnal, year round.

Habitat:

Woods

Notes:

This little tike is only about 7 in. long with a tail about 4 in. He has been seen in this particular area for about a week, just grubbing around. He looks to maybe have a tick above left eye. Don't know how old he is, but he is off a well traveled road in the Bangor City Forest, in an open grassy area. I worry that he may not have enough quills yet to protect him from dogs that may be off leash (even though that particular area is an on leash area.)