American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)
Length: Head and body: 55 cm; Tail: 25 cm
Features: Heavy body, short legs; long, stiff quills; slow gait.
Habitat: Forests and scrub.
When the porcupine feels threatened, it turns its back on the enemy, bristles its approximately 30,000 quills, and lashes out with its tail. The quills easily detach and dig into the attacker's flesh. During the day, it curls up in a ball at the top of a tree. At night, it wanders from tree to tree, feeding on buds, twigs, and bark. It thrives on pine resin and drills holes in plywood boards.
