Erethizon
ExploreMammals
Erethizon
Erethizon
The Erethizon, also known as the North American porcupine, is a spiky animal that loves to climb trees. They are mostly nocturnal and enjoy munching on leaves and bark.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Erethizon is a large, robust rodent covered in thousands of sharp, barbed quills. Its body is typically brownish-black with a dense layer of yellowish-white quills tipped with black, making it visually distinct from any other North American mammal.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyErethizontidaeGenusErethizon
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A baby porcupine is called a 'porcupette' and is born with soft, bendable quills!
Porcupines are the only mammal in North America covered in quills!
Their quills have tiny, overlapping barbs that make them very hard to remove!
They cannot 'shoot' their quills, but they detach super easily if brushed against.
Special abilities
Ability
Quill Armor
Erethizon can defend itself from predators because of its thousands of sharp, barbed quills that detach easily upon contact.
Ability
Arboreal Acrobat
Erethizon can climb trees efficiently because of strong claws and grippy footpads that help them reach food and safety.
Ability
Regenerating Spines
Erethizon has quills that regrow quickly because it helps them maintain their full protective armor after encounters.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 75-120 cm
- Weight
- 4.5-13 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Top Speed
- 4 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 200-210 days
Diet & Feeding
This herbivore munches on leaves, twigs, and bark, especially in winter when other foods are scarce.
Primary Foods
- Bark
- Leaves
- Twigs
- Buds
- Fruits
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Coyote
Canis latrans
Coyotes are common predators, often trying to flip porcupines over.
hunts
Fisher
Pekania pennanti
Fishers are agile mustelids known for preying on porcupines in trees.
eats
Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Porcupines strip bark from aspen trees, especially during winter for food.
eaten by
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
These large owls can prey on porcupines from the air, avoiding quills.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
If you see a porcupine, keep a safe distance and do not touch it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Erethizon?
75-120 cm
How much does Erethizon weigh?
4.5-13 kg
How long does Erethizon live?
5-10 years
How fast can Erethizon move?
4 km/h
What does Erethizon eat?
This herbivore munches on leaves, twigs, and bark, especially in winter when other foods are scarce.
Where is Erethizon usually found?
Forests
How does Erethizon hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Erethizon usually have?
1
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