Porcupines
What do porcupines look like?
A porcupine's markings are black and white. The dark body and coarse hair of the porcupine are a dark brown/black and when quills are raised, present a white strip down its back mimicking the look of a skunk. This, along with the raising of the sharp quills, deters predators.
Are porcupines dangerous?
These plant eating rodents want to be left alone. Generally, humans should know to stay away from them but sometimes their dogs don't have the same judgement and in turn earn a trip to the vet's office after an encounter. Along with the raising of the quills, porcupines clatter their teeth to warn predators not to approach. The incisors vibrate against each other, the strike zone shifts back, and the cheek teeth clatter. This behavior is often paired with body shivering, which is used to further display the dangerous quills.
What do porcupines do?
Porcupines are generalists, eating a wide range of plant material. Their diet changes seasonally. In the winter, they primarily eat evergreen needles and the inner bark of trees, often feeding heavily on a single tree causing damage or death to the tree. In the spring and summer, porcupines shift to eating berries, seeds, grasses, leaves, roots and stems. Are expert swimmers and even better climbers, often making their winter nests at the top of trees.
What is the life cycle of porcupines?
Porcupines have no specific breeding season, however, they have only one litter per year of 1 to 4 babies. Young porcupines are called ‘porcupettes’. Porcupettes have no quills at birth but are covered with sensitive, soft bristles. The average life span of a porcupine is 5 to 7 years in the wild.
Signs of porcupines around my home?
- Nipped twigs with an angled cut found under favorite feeding trees.
- Gnaw marks, typically towards the base of the tree. Shallower than beaver marks.
- Inch long droppings that resemble cashews.
- Tracks are more easily seen in the winter. They go the same feeding tree over and over.
What should I do?
The most effective solution for porcupines includes fencing around trees to keep porcupines from eating them. The fencing should only be metal, they will destroy food fences pretty easily. A licensed professional may be hired to trap the porcupine or implement frightening tactics to convince them to move on from the property.