The porcupine lives throughout Canada (and the United States) in forests, deserts or almost any terrain. The porcupine is an amazing little animal, they range between 25 to 40 inches in length, and tail growing up to 8 inches long. It weighs between 10 to 40 pounds. They are equipped with sharp quills, and two large teeth they use to gnaw bark amongst other things.

Did you know? The porcupine is classed as a rodent.

They are covered in long hair, and at the back of the porcupine there are up to 30,000! quills distributed amongst their dark hairs. The porcupine uses these quills as a defence method. If it is under threat, the porcupine will spin around facing away from the enemy, but with its deadly spines facing the predator. If an animal tries to bite or claw at the porcupine, they will probably end up with the porcupines sharp quills embedded into their skin. The porcupine is also known to throw their tail into the predator, causing many quills to detach into the predator.

The porcupine is a herbivore, feeding only on plant material. They will feed on bark from trees, twigs, leaves, plants, etc.

They are also nocturnal animals, they will rest throughout the day in a hollow log or in a rocky crevice, and emerge at dusk to begin feeding.

Did you know? The porcupine is the second largest rodent in the world.

Further Information on the Porcupine:

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