The North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), a common New World porcupine, is second in size behind the beaver as one of the largest rodents in North America. The North American Porcupine is best known for and made distinguishable by its spiny quills that cover its body.
The quills are used as a means of defense and can be used in two ways: they can be shaken to create a warning rattle and they can be embedded into a predator if the porcupine decides to charge. To maintain this defense system, the quills can grow back.
North American Porcupines have a height of 12.6”-16.5” (32-42 cm), body length between 23.6”-35.4” (60-90 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 20-40 lb (9-18 kg). The tail length of a North American Porcupine is 8”-10” (20-25 cm). North American Porcupines have a typical lifespan of 10-15 years in the wild and up to 15-30 years in captivity.
The North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), a common New World porcupine, is second in size behind the beaver as one of the largest rodents in North America. The North American Porcupine is best known for and made distinguishable by its spiny quills that cover its body.
The quills are used as a means of defense and can be used in two ways: they can be shaken to create a warning rattle and they can be embedded into a predator if the porcupine decides to charge. To maintain this defense system, the quills can grow back.
North American Porcupines have a height of 12.6”-16.5” (32-42 cm), body length between 23.6”-35.4” (60-90 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 20-40 lb (9-18 kg). The tail length of a North American Porcupine is 8”-10” (20-25 cm). North American Porcupines have a typical lifespan of 10-15 years in the wild and up to 15-30 years in captivity.