Common Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)
By Cindy Murray, Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area  ​

​     Did you know that porcupines live on every continent except Antarctica! They are large, short-legged rodents and can weigh around 23 pounds. Our Common Porcupine have around 30,000 quills and NO, they cannot “throw” their quills! Their quills lie flat against the body but they have no quills on their faces, underbellies or feet. Porcupines can raise their quills in every direction and they will turn their backs on predators for defense. Porcupines do not hibernate in winter and their hollow quills with thick underfur, help them to keep warm. Native Americans learned how to use quills for sewing and decorating clothing, baskets and many other items.
     Breakfast and dinner might consist of tree bark, berries, roots, stems and even pine needles. Porcupines are nocturnal and very good tree climbers. You may be able to spot a porcupine munching away high up in a tree. They are quite vocal with one another or when attacked by a predator. Porcupines can loudly click their teeth together, which can be heard for long distances.
     Porcupines are mostly solitary critters. The females give birth to only one “porcupette” which by the way is born with quills. The quills harden within an hour of birth. The mother porcupine raises her baby alone without help from the male. Porcupines may live up to 30 years!
 
Q. What do you get when you cross a porcupine and sheep?
A. An animal that knits its own sweater!