Canadian Porcupine



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The Canadian or North American porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum, like other New World porcupines, spends some of its time in the trees. Its strong claws and creased, furless footpads grip branches well, and its spineless tail, prehensile in some New World species, is also useful in climbing. In contrast, Old World porcupines are completely terrestrial. North American porcupines mostly eat bark, pine needles, and (during the summer) grasses. The one pictured here is chewing on an elk antler.

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Porcupine

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