Porcupine

PORCUPINE, North American (Erethizon dorsatum), is a large member of the rodent family found in coniferous forests across the province. Weighing up to 18 kg, it has a blunt face and a body covered in long yellowish-grey guard hairs. Toward the rear these hairs become stiff, barbed quills, up to 8 cm long, which detach and embed painfully in the noses and paws of predators. Porcupines are solitary, nocturnal herbivores. They mate in the autumn and the female gives birth to a single offspring 7...

If you are already registered on KnowBC, login now to get access to the full article.

You may already have access to KnowBC through your school, university or library.

• Schools that subscribe to KnowBC
• Colleges and universities that subscribe to KnowBC
• Public libraries that subscribe to KnowBC

If you do not already have access to KnowBC, you can subscribe.