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Wind Cave National ParkPorcupine
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Wind Cave National Park
Porcupine
 
Porcupine - Erethizon dorsatum
NPS Photo by Mike Laycock
Porcupine - Erethizon dorsatum
Click picture for more information
 

Class

Mammalia
Order Rodentia
Family Erethizontidae
Genus Erethizon
Species dorsatum
Name/
History
The second largest native North American rodent (the beaver is the largest.
Size
Weight (lbs)

Male
10-15

Female
10-15

Young
Achieves
adult size
by fall

Height (ft)

2

2

 
Tail (in) 7-9
Rut September-October
Gestation 7 months
Birth April-May
# young 1
Age 5-7 years, up to 10 years
Habitat/
Range

Usually forested areas, dens in hollow trees, found throughout Canada, western United States to Mexico.

Food Buds, twigs, bark.
Enemies Man (road kill), some coyotes, bobcats, owls.
Disease Rabies
Communication

Grunts, groans, high-pitched cries.

Behavior/
Characteristics

Active at night, more at home in trees, does not hibernate, usually solitary, poor vision.



Badger
Bibliography
Other Animals
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Bull Elk  

Did You Know?
Elk were the most widely distributed member of the deer family in North America and spread from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Mexico to northern Alberta. Elk began to disappear in the eastern United States in the early 1800s.
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Last Updated: August 10, 2007 at 17:31 EST