|  Most
visitors to Wind Cave have the opportunity to observe and enjoy
a variety of wildlife that live in the park such as the bison and
mule deer. For some visitors, a trip to Wind Cave may include a
rare encounter with one of the more elusive park animals - the porcupine.
Usually seen at night near roadsides or in trees, the porcupine
may appear to be a large raccoon. In reality, this furry climber
is a rodent and is second only in size to the beaver.
When it comes to defending itself, the porcupine
is in a league of its own. The porcupine is covered with 15 to 30
thousand specially adapted needlelike hairs called quills. When
in danger, the quills rise to the occasion, just as a cat's hair
stands on end, resulting in an almost impenetrable shield of pins.
A common myth about the porcupine, is that it has the ability to
shoot their quills. In reality, the quills are controlled by muscles
and are released instantly when they come into contact with another
object.
A closer look at a quill, shows that the tip is covered with tiny
barbs. The inside of the quill is hollow and sponge-like. Once a
quill has penetrated flesh it will fill with blood and expand the
barbs which settle like fish hooks into the skin. This will cause
the quills to become deeply embedded. Muscular movement around the
quills will cause them to move through the skin, up to a millimeter
an hour!
There was once a porcupine researcher that studied
the way in which quills moved through the skin. He found out the
hard way. A quill was driven so deep into his arm, that he had to
let it go. The quill moved all the way through his arm and came
out the other side! Although he suffered great pain, there was no
infection. A closer examination of the quill revealed that the quills
contain an anti-biotic. The porcupine, in this way, has an insurance
policy against its own defense!
The porcupines range extends from the tundra
of Alaska to the deserts of New Mexico. It is found throughout most
U.S. and Canadian forests with exception of the southeastern and
prairie states. Porcupines prefer forested habitats. They den under
or inside of dead logs, and in shallow caves.
Imagine giving birth to an animal with 15 thousand
quills! Baby porcupines, or "porcupettes" are born in
the spring, and lucky for mom, the quills are soft at birth. After
a few minutes in the outside air, the quills harden and are ready
for defense. Within an hour, the porcupettes will be able to climb
trees.
In the spring and summer porcupines enjoy a diet
of vegetation including shrubs, grasses, and fruits. During the
winter, when fresh greens are not available, the porcupine survives
by eating the cambium, or inner bark of trees. The porcupine has
an iron coating on its teeth to help it scrape away the outer bark.
In addition to this adaptation, seventy-five percent of the porcupines
body is devoted to digestion.
|
|
