The North American porcupine in Gaspésie

The North American porcupine is one of the mythical animals of North America. He owes his fame to his quilled armor which allows him to keep his enemies at distance. What a feature! It is found in a wide variety of habitats, from the semi-desert environment to the tundra. There are also porcupines in Africa and Asia but these are not the same species as our North American porcupine. Sometimes reminding us of a little bear or a sloth, the porcupine slowly prospects the vegetation in search of small delights. His gestures are delicate and precise. It is usually encountered at the bend of a path or perched in a tree. In Quebec, and more particularly in the Gaspé Peninsula, this animal surprises observers by its astonishing proximity and its unique behavior.

The North American porcupine beautifully reminds us that humans can live in perfect harmony with nature, with a form of mutual respect that we do not want to break.

This rodent has a herbivorous diet ranging from tree bark to buds, catkins and young leaves. It is also able to feed on the ground by browsing the vegetation; grass, clover, dandelions are his favorite dishes! It feeds very slowly and trusts its sense of smell more than its sight. Yes, the North American porcupine is short-sighted, which sometimes explains its somewhat hesitant behavior and the fact that it can be approached quite easily. But beware, if it has the slightest doubt, it will not hesitate to brandish his quills, which number around 30,000 among adults. If a quill is lost during a fight, it will grow back in a few months. The vulnerability of this animal originally gave it a deterrent that is most of the time enough to ward off potential predators.

The North American porcupine leads a solitary existence most of the year and does not hibernate. It forms a sort of den, a bowl under a stump or under a rock from and stays close to it during winter. When the weather is not very engaging (snow, rain), it does not hesitate to return to his lodging to stay there as long as necessary. In summer, it moves further from its shelter, able to search for food at a distance of 1.5km.

The North American porcupine begins to reproduce after one or two years. September is mating month. The love parade is a kind of dance in which the two individuals position themselves on their hind legs to embrace each other affectionately. Although the species is considered to be of minor concern according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is sometimes threatened by forest fires. Because of its slowness, it cannot escape the devastating fires. Similarly for road incidents, it is an animal often struck by vehicles. Long considered harmful by damaging or killing certain trees, a study conducted in the state of Maine in the United States reveals that the loss of trees is negligible. On the contrary, the fact that it can naturally thin dense stands of young trees and destroy some unwanted trees ultimately contributes to forest conservation.

Forillon National Park in the Gaspé Peninsula is a favorite area for observing the North American porcupine. You will observe it on the park trails with a chance to make magnificent images!

If you want to observe the North American porcupine, join us on our next wildlife tour in Gaspésie!

Thibaut
Guide Salva Fauna