North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) - Prickly Tree Dweller
Did you Know?
The species is the second largest rodent species in North America, behind the beaver.
There are so many on the Bruce Peninsula that many residents have to ensure their cars are sheltered or fenced so the animals do not chew through
the vehicles brake lines at night.
Photo: Allison Watt
Habitat - Porcupines tend to stick close to trees in mixed or coniferous forests but can be found alongside river undergrowth and dens found in rock piles, caves, fallen logs and hollow tree cavities. They can also be found in tundra, shrublands or even in desert landscapes.
Weight - 3.5 to 18 kg
Length - 74 to 120 cm including the tail
Status - S5 secure (what does this S-rank mean?) http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/glossary/srank.cfm
Diet - Bark,twigs,roots,berries
Also Known As -Canadian Porcupine, Common Porcupine
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
Identification:
Porcupines look in many ways like beavers, having the distinguishing feature of the long prickly hairs that cover their bodies. They are usually dark brown or black in color with white highlights. They have chunky bodies, short legs, short thick tails and small faces that are distinctly rodent like in appearance. The upper parts are covered with thousands of sharp, barbed hollow quills, which are used for defense. The quills are normally flattened against the body unless the animal is disturbed or threatened by a potential predator.
Photo: Wikipedia Commons Porcupine on the Niagara Escarpment
The forests of the Escarpment provide ideal habitat for this wandering rodent.If you are lucky you may just come across one of these mammals as you walk the Trail but remember Do Not Touch, just enjoy the creature from afar and let it carry on with its business.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy is continually acquiring and protecting forests along the Niagara Escarpment that allow these animals to thrive amongst the trees.
Photo: Allison Watt
Interesting Facts:
The distinguishing feature of the porcupine is its famous quills, which are used by the porcupine when it feels threatened. The tips of the quills are covered with barbs that point backwards, away from the tips. Removing these quills can prove to be quite difficult and painful. The quills are however naturally antiseptic, thus any wounds from them are unlikely to get infected.
A common myth is that porcupines throw or shoot their quills at approaching predators, this is however not the case as the quills detach easily and lodge into the offending animals skin.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]
The porcupine is a generally docile creature and is far more likely to run away then use its quills, which it reserves as a last resort. To avoid predators the porcupines often climb trees at the sign of danger and are likely to adapt their travel patterns to stay close to trees.
The porcupine is the only native mammal in North America that has antibiotics in its skin. The antibiotics prevent infection from falls that porcupines might experience that may cause its own quills to be stuck.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]