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.
- 🇫🇷 Porc-épic d'Amérique
- 🇩🇪 Baumstachelschwein, Urson
- 🇲🇽 Puercoespín norteamericano, Ursón
Characteristics
- Length: 64-91cm
- Weight: 6.4-15.9kg
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.
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Where and When to Spot
My only observation of this species happened in a forested area near Tadoussac in May.