Pennsylvania Animals: Porcupine

(Erethizon dorsatum)

The porcupine is a mammal that looks like a big hedgehog. It's a plant eating rodent that can climb. It is 65 to 80 cm long. It eats bark, twigs, and plants. The colors of it are brown, black, white and gray. It's a scavenger too. It's camouflaged and it lives up to about 20 years in captivity. It does not lay eggs but it has one baby a year. The mom and dad care for it. It is definitely not poisonous but it is very dangerous because of its spines. by Thomas

When the porcupine is alarmed, he may stamp his feet, click his teeth, and growl or hiss. The porcupine has pointed quills. They are used for defense. The porcupine is brownish black. Porcupines have other names like hedgehog, quill pig, or porky. His relative is the anteater. by Mac

PA Animals 96-97

PA Animals 95-96