North American Porcupine
Erethizon dorsatum
E. dorsatum is a large rodent, typically measuring 60-90 cm in length (including the tail) and weighing 5-12 kg. They have a stout body covered in up to 30,000 quills, wh…
How to identify
E. dorsatum is a large rodent, typically measuring 60-90 cm in length (including the tail) and weighing 5-12 kg. They have a stout body covered in up to 30,000 quills, which are typically 2-3 inches long. The quills are yellowish-white with black tips. Their fur is dark brown or blackish beneath the quills. They have short legs, small ears, and a muscular tail that is about one-third of their total body length.
Range
E. dorsatum has a wide distribution across North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada south through most of the United States and into northern Mexico. They are absent from the southeastern coastal plain of the United States
Habitat
E. dorsatum occupies a variety of habitats, including coniferous and deciduous forests, woodlands, grasslands, and even desert scrub. They are adaptable and can thrive in diverse environments as long as there is sufficient food and shelter. They are skilled climbers and often seek refuge in trees.
Similar species
Within its range, E. dorsatum is unlikely to be confused with any other native species. Their prominent quills are a unique characteristic. Other animals, such as hedgehogs or echidnas (found in other parts of the world), have spines, but these are morphologically distinct from porcupine quills.
Name and etymology
Genus
Erethizon
Greek for to irritate
Origin
Sources
- Palmer, Index Generum Mammalium (1904) ↗
Palmer, T. S. 1904. Index Generum Mammalium: a list of the genera and families of mammals. North American Fauna 23. Government Printing Office, Washington. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.39809
Species epithet
dorsatum
Latin for "back"
Origin
Sources
- Wikipedia: Erethizon dorsatum ↗
“Erethizon dorsatum.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_porcupine
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
E. dorsatum has a wide distribution across North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada south through most of the United Sta…
Habitat
E. dorsatum occupies a variety of habitats, including coniferous and deciduous forests, woodlands, grasslands, and even deser…
Guide
Mammals of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap