More Porcupine

The porcupine is the prickliest of rodents, though its Latin name means "quill pig." There are about two dozen porcupine species, and all boast a coat of needle-like quills to give predators a sharp reminder that this animal is no easy meal. Some quills, like those of Africa's crested porcupine, are nearly a foot (30 centimeters) long.

Northwoods Porcupine

Northwoods Porcupine

Northwoods Porcupine

Northwoods Porcupine

Porcupine in a tree

Porcupines occupy a short range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Southern Europe, Africa, and North and South America. Porcupines live in forests, deserts, rocky outcrops and hillsides. Some New World porcupines live in trees, but Old World porcupines stay on the rocks. Porcupines can be found on rocky areas up to 3,700 m (12,100 ft) high. Porcupines are generally nocturnal but are occasionally active during daylight.

Porcupine in a tree

Porcupine in a tree

Porcupine in a tree

Porcupine in a tree

Porcupine in a tree

Porcupine in a tree

Porcupine up close

 This is a close up of the Porcupine that was in the tree.

Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend and camouflage them from predators. They are indigenous to the Americas, southern Asia, and Africa. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the capybara and the beaver. Most porcupines are about 25–36 in (63–91 cm) long, with an 8–10 in (20–25 cm) long tail. Weighing between 12–35 lb (5.4–16 kg), they are rounded, large and slow. Porcupines come in various shades of brown, grey, and the unusual white.

Wisconsin Porcupine

Wisconsin Porcupine

Wisconsin Porcupine

Wisconsin Porcupine

Porcupine in a Tree

We saw porcupine up in this tree having a snack.

Porcupines occupy a short range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Southern Europe, Africa, and North and South America. Porcupines live in forests, deserts, rocky outcrops and hillsides. Some New World porcupines live in trees, but Old World porcupines stay on the rocks. Porcupines can be found on rocky areas up to 3,700 m (12,100 ft) high. Porcupines are generally nocturnal but are occasionally active during daylight.

Wisconsin Porcupine in a tree

Wisconsin Porcupine in a tree

Wisconsin Porcupine in a tree

Wisconsin Porcupine in a tree

Wisconsin Porcupine in a tree

Porcupine in a tree

Wisconsin porcupine in a tree

Wisconsin porcupine in a tree

Wisconsin porcupine in a tree

Wisconsin porcupine in a tree

Porcupines are slow movers with their chunky round bodies. Look for them by day high in the trees. At night they're on the move, climbing between trees in search of food.