altphoto
altphoto

North American Tree Porcupine

North-American-tree-porcupine
View on the map
Theme area:  Temperate forest and taiga & T
Scientific name:  Erethizon dorsatum
Class:  Mammals
Continent:  North America
Habitat:  Temperate forest and taiga & Tundra
Diet:  Herbivorous
Weight:  3.5 - 18 (average under 9) kg
Size:  60 - 90 cm (body length)
altphoto

Tree porcupines are very hard to spot, especially in summer when they sit high in the trees amongst dense foliage. They are expert climbers, helped by the pebble-like surface of their palms which gives them a very secure grip. 

Wolverines, coyotes, wolves, bears and cougars are the main predators of tree porcupines but they can live up to 17 years in the wild. They usually produce one baby a year which will be climbing quite expertly within a few weeks of being born. Here at Blackpool Zoo, we feed them on a special pelleted feed, leaf-eater diet, vegetables and dog biscuits.  

Conservation status
Extinct
Extinct in the wild
Critically endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near threatened
Least concern
Insufficient data
Not evaluated

Get the best price!

Buy now