North American Porcupine
Scientific name: Erethizon dorsatum
Habitat: forests
Diet: leaves, bark, evergreen needles
Life span: 5-6 years (10 years in captivity)
Young: 1 young
Size: 10-40 kg (22-88 lbs)
Porcupines are solitary and nocturnal rodents, although they can sometimes be spotted during the day eating bark from trees.
Their quills are stiff, barbed hairs. When attacked, the porcupine will hit with its tail, leaving dozens of quills embedded in the enemy. They cannot throw their quills. Babies are born with soft quills that harden within hours.
Learn more about this species:
These are some other websites that we think have more great information about this species.
North American porcupine on Animal Diversity Web
For More Information
Edmonton Valley Zoo
13315 Buena Vista Road (87th Avenue)
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7
| attractions@edmonton.ca |
