Fauna Flora Photography

North-American Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum

The second largest rodent after the beaver. Dark-brown in color with white highlights. Slow moving and defends with exposing quills after warning with a strong odor. Lives in coniferous and mixed forested areas, feeding mostly twigs, roots and berries in summer and needles and bark in winter.

Specs

Length64-91cm
Weight6.4-15.9kg

Common Names

GermanBaumstachelschwein
EnglishNorth-American Porcupine
FrenchPorc-épic d'Amérique
SpanishPuercoespín norteamericano

Taxonomy

OrderRodentia
SuborderErethizontidae
FamilyErethizontinae
SpeciesErethizon dorsatum

How to Identify

Color and shape. They don't flee if detected. Don't get too close unless you want to expose yourself to the odor and quills.

North-American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) - Tadoussac - 2018-05-20

Where and When to Spot

My only observation of this species happened in a forested area near Tadoussac in May.

Last updated on 2023-12-15. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.