Wind Cave National Park - Porcupine (U.S. National Park Service)

NPS Photo by Mike Laycock

Porcupine - Erethizon dorsatum
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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.