Porcupines

Almost a year ago exactly, my dog had her first, and so far only, encounter with a porcupine. After carrying her out of the forest, on snowshoes, for about a mile, we took a trip to the vet’s to have all of the quills pulled out of her face, chest and legs. It seems like almost every Vermonter has had the same experience with their own dog, or knows someone whose dog has met up with a porcupine. That goes to show how common porcupines are throughout the state, but how much do most of us actually know about porcupines? For instance, did you know that:

• Porcupine babies (called porcupettes) are born with soft, bendable quills that harden in the first days of life.
• Adult porcupines average 10-28 pounds and are 18-28 inches long.
• Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot throw their quills.
• Fishers (aka fishercats) were re-introduced to Vermont in the 1960’s to try to control the state’s huge porcupine population.
• In summer, porcupines eat leaves and fruit. In the winter they eat tree bark, conifer needles, and the cambium, or layer of living cells just beneath the tree’s bark.
• Porcupine quills are actually modified, hollow hairs with a barbed end. When threatened, the porcupine can contract muscles to make the quills stand upright.
• Porcupines love salt—they’ve been known to eat the wooden handles of tools left outside. They are attracted to the handles because of the salty residue left behind by human sweat!
• Adult porcupines have over 30,000 quills, and it takes 2-8 months for lost quills to re-grow.
• Porcupines are nocturnal and have long, curved claws for climbing trees.

Have you seen any porcupines (or has your dog met any) in South Burlington? I'd love to know about it or about any other wildlife sightings there. Simply comment on this posting to tell me about what you've seen in South Burlington, and where. I want to hear about porcupines, or robins, or squirrels...whatever you've seen! Check out my first post, called "Let the Fun Begin" for more info!