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

Taxonomy

Order	Rodentia
Family	Erethizontidae
Subfamily	Erethizontinae

ID and Whereabouts

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.

My only observation of this species happened in a forested area near Tadoussac in May.

Characteristics

Length	64-91cm
Weight	6.4-15.9kg