North American Porcupine Population
Geographic Range: The common porcupine is found in boreal North America from Alaska to Labrador and southward to northern Mexico. Erethizon is also found in the Lake States and New England. In the north-central region, it is found only in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Physical Characteristics: Mass: 3 to 7 kg. The North American porcupine is the only species that lives in the U.S. and Canada, and is the largest of all porcupines. A single animal may have 30,000 or more quills. North American porcupines use their large front teeth to satisfy a healthy appetite for wood. The North American porcupine is common and widespread. Local population densities range from 1 individual/km 2 - 9.5 individuals/km 2, with cyclical population peaks every 12-20 years (Woods 1973). This species is the largest of the New World porcupines and is one of the largest North American rodents, second only to the American beaver in size. The head-and-body length is 60 to 90 cm (2.0 to 3.0 ft), not counting a tail of 14.5 to 30 cm (5.7 to 11.8 in). The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), also known as the Canadian porcupine or common porcupine, is a large rodent in the New World porcupine family. Description. The North American porcupine is second in size to the beaver among rodents in North America and has the northernmost range of all the world’s porcupines. This stout, short-legged mammal is covered with hair and quills of varying length, except on the foot pads and nose and belly. The North American porcupine is the only species that lives in the U.S. and Canada, and is the largest of all porcupines. A single animal may have 30,000 or more quills. The North American porcupine is second in size to the beaver among rodents in North America and has the northernmost range of all the world’s porcupines. This stout, short-legged mammal is covered with hair and quills of varying length, except on the foot pads and nose and belly. North American porcupines are the second largest rodent in North America. They weigh between 5 and 14 kg, and are 600 to 900 mm long. Only beavers are larger. North American porcupines are the second largest rodent in North America. They weigh between 5 and 14 kg, and are 600 to 900 mm long. Only beavers are larger. Porcupines have a stout, slow, lumbering form and a spiny coat.
30,000 or more