THE NORTH AMERICAN PORCUPINE

By Mark Gray, Plateau Senior Wildlife Biologist

Any hound a porcupine nudges
Can't be blamed for harboring grudges.
I know one hound that laughed all winter
At a porcupine that sat on a splinter.
-- Ogden Nash (The Porcupine)

Unless you are the owner of a pet who has had a run-in with a porcupine, you probably did not know that porcupines are found throughout much of the western half of Texas, and especially in the Hill Country. The North American porcupine is the second largest rodent occurring within Texas, weighing between 20-30 lbs. This fall-breeder is mainly a herbivore, with most of its diet derived from grazing herbaceous plants or browsing woody material. Like a football fan watching a close game with a bag of potato chips, porcupines love their salt. Indeed, with its higher concentration of salt, tree bark is a major portion of its diet during fall months. Porcupines are known to chew and devour plywood because the wood has been treated with chemicals containing salts. They are attracted to roadways sprinkled with salt, canoe paddles that have been handled frequently and contain salt residue, park benches, and even old garden tools. For those with a porcupine problem, placing salt blocks away from structures made of plywood and favored bark trees may help prevent and control damage.

Porcupines spend much of the daytime within secretive dens in rock crevices, under rock ledges, and hollow trees. They have even been seen denning within large, well-constructed brush piles. They are mainly nocturnal and do not hibernate. Because they breed in the fall, they are slightly more visible during this season. Characterized by a series of long spines scattered throughout their body, these spines are used as a specialized defense mechanism. Contrary to popular belief, these spines, called quills, are not ejected at a challenging predator, but are easily detached when molested by the predator. Due to their exceptional defense mechanism, porcupines have evolved to lead a solitary life, which is unique to most herbivores that tend to herd or congregate together. As long as you or your pet stays a safe distance, seeing this reclusive mammal is a treat.

Article photo: The North American Porcupine is the second largest rodent occurring within Texas.