North American Porcupines

Quick Facts About Porcupines

  • Porcupines are one of our gentle-hearted wild species.

  • They cannot shoot their quills. They may smack you with their tail trying to protect themselves.

  • Their quills are barbed and difficult to remove. Having their quills pulled out is painful. They would prefer to keep them.

  • Porcupines generally only have one baby that is not weaned until 5 months of age. When they are born they have their eyes open and are able to walk and nibble on solids.

  • If your dog was quilled please do not try to remove the quills yourself. They should be removed by a veterinarian under sedation. The porcupine should be evaluated for injuries by a permitted wildlife rehabilitator.

Orphaned?

Below is a list of signs to determine if the young are orphaned and need to be assessed by a permitted wildlife rehabilitator:

  • If a baby is being swarmed by flies, has fly eggs (they look like little grains of rice), ticks, mites, etc. a permitted wildlife rehabilitator should be contacted.

  • Known trauma (dog attack), wound, ocular/nasal discharge, limping, etc.

  • A dead mother porcupine will have visible teats. If you find a dead adult or you think mom has been removed and you aren’t sure contact us.

  • Porcupettes are curious and may approach humans. They imprint on humans extremely easily so do not approach it or feed it. Watch from a distance to see if the mother comes back. In the meantime, contact us.

  • Cats create tiny puncture wounds that seal over quickly and can create pockets that become infected.

    Dogs create crushing injuries when they bite. Internal injuries may not present for a couple days. Lacerations from bite wounds are also very common and require surgical correction.

  • The baby should be upright and alert. If it is lying on its side and/or does not react to your presence contact us.

  • If a porcupette has been under human care or has been fed anything from a human care taker a permitted wildlife rehabilitator needs to be contacted.

Don’t Be A Kidnapper!

Mother porcupines do not stay with their babies. She will occasionally leave to go forage on her own and return to nurse. Porcupettes are not able to climb until they are a little older and more coordinated so they spend most of their time on the ground.

If you see a lone porcupette please do not take it unless it meets the orphan criteria stated above and you have been advised by a permitted wildlife rehabilitator.

Containing the Porcupine

Your safety should be your top priority. Porcupines are not easy to handle. It is very easy to get a quill (or many quills) stuck in your person, clothes, etc. They are painful! Please do not handle a porcupine without speaking with a permitted wildlife rehabilitator first. We will walk you through how to proceed. Below are guidelines to read while you wait to hear back from us.

  1. Get an appropriately sized *empty* box for the animal. You may also use a pet carrier or other container as long as there are air holes poked in it before the animal is inside. Do not put any cloth items in with the porcupine as they get stuck in the quills and create more pain and injuries during removal.

    Preferably don’t handle the porcupine. Put the carrier next to the porcupine and try to encourage it to go inside or gently push it into the carrier with a shovel. Expect some resistance and a possible tail smack depending on how alert the animal is. It will instinctively turn its back to you.

    • The quills around the face are not defense quills. They are soft like hair. They fold down backwards toward the tail naturally when guided in that direction. If you must handle the porcupine ensure you are properly protected and use newspaper to guide the quills down and wrap them around the body. Be aware that they also have teeth and may bite.

  2. Secure the lid well.

  3. Put a heating pad underneath 1/3-1/2 of the box so the animal can move if it gets too hot. Make sure that it is on the lowest setting to prevent burns.

    • Warm water bottles, Hot Hands packs and warmed rice socks also work if you don’t have a heating pad. Do not place these items inside the box with the animal.

  4. Wash your hands.

  5. Bring the animal to us immediately. If this is not an option, please try to find it a ride. In the meantime, put the box in a warm, dark, quiet area of your home or garage that is away from pets, children and noise.

  6. DO NOT GIVE ANY FOOD OR LIQUIDS TO THE PORCUPINE!

  7. DO NOT hold, cuddle or talk to the animal. Keep away from pets.

Note: The information contained in this text regarding health and/or safety precautions may not be adequate for all individuals and/or situations. It is the reader’s obligation to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. We are not responsible for injuries or illnesses occurred from you interacting with wild animals. Do so at your own risk. If you do not feel comfortable handling the animal do not handle it.