North American Porcupine

Description:

Considered to be Least Concern by IUCN, these porcupines are generalists in habitat and diet. However, there are marked difference between winter and summer seasons in terms of diet. Winter foods are primarily the bark, cambium and phloem of trees such as eastern and western hemlock, sugar maple, and Douglas fir. Porcupines will often feed heavily on a single tree, causing extensive damage or death. In the spring the diet shifts as porcupines begin feeding on roots, steams, leaves, berries, seeds and grasses. This species is primarily nocturnal and does not hibernate (Woods 1973). Reproduction occurs during fall or early winter. Following a relatively long gestation, females give birth to one young in spring or early summer. Litters of more than 1 are uncommon (Woods 1973). An individual North American porcupine may have as many as 30,000 quills, measuring 7.5 cm long, which are used for defense purposes. Typical defense behavior is backing up towards the predator, swinging the tail, which has a high concentration of quills. Quills are made out of keratin and are simply modified fur.

Habitat:

Porcupines are found in a variety of habitats including dense forests, tundra, grasslands and desert shrub communities. The North American porcupine is common and widespread. Local population densities range from 1 individual/km2 - 9.5 individuals/km2, with cyclical population peaks every 12-20 years (Woods 1973).

Notes:

North American Porcupine used for education programs at Wildlife Associates (not open to the public).