North American Porcupine
The North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is a large rodent species native to North America. It is a unique and spiky animal, with a coat of thousands of sharp quills that are its primary defense mechanism. When threatened, the porcupine will raise its quills and turn its back to the predator.
The North American Porcupine is a herbivore, feeding on a variety of leaves, twigs, and bark. It is a solitary and nocturnal animal that spends most of its life in trees.
North American Porcupine
Classification
Mammalia > Rodentia > Erethizontidae > Erethizon > E. dorsatum
Native To
Conservation Status
Average Height
2 - 3 feet
(0.6 - 0.9 m)
Average Weight
12 - 35 lbs
(5.4 - 16 kg)
Average Life Span
5 - 7 years
Gestation Period
210 days
Did You Know?
The North American Porcupine is the only porcupine species native to North America.
They have approximately 30,000 quills on their body, which are modified hairs.
North American Porcupines are herbivores and primarily eat bark, leaves, and buds.
Their quills have barbed tips that make them difficult to remove once embedded.
They are excellent climbers and spend a lot of time in trees.
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