The Porcupine
Porcupines are the prickly geniuses of the animal kingdom, armed with a coat of sharp quills for protection. They come in all shapes and sizes but are generally small to medium-sized mammals with a rounded body, small ears and a chunky tail. Porcupines are pretty slow on their feet but are incredible climbers using their curved claws, and some can even swim, with their spiky quills acting like floatation devices. So remember, never try to hug one, no matter how cute they look!
| Porcupine | |
|---|---|
| Size | 25-36 inches (63.5-91.4 cm) |
| Weight | 12-35 lbs (5.4-15.9 kg) |
| Speed | 2mph (3.2km/h) |
| Key Strength | Sharp quills for protection |
| Biggest Weakness | Slow movement |
| Scientific Name | Erethizon dorsatum |
| Family | Erethizontidae |
| Habitat | Forests, deserts, grasslands |
| Geography | North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia |
| Diet | Leaves, bark, and stems of trees |
| Lifespan | 5 years - 10 years |
The Porcupine
Porcupines are the prickly geniuses of the animal kingdom, armed with a coat of sharp quills for protection. They come in all shapes and sizes but are generally small to medium-sized mammals with a rounded body, small ears and a chunky tail. Porcupines are pretty slow on their feet but are incredible climbers using their curved claws, and some can even swim, with their spiky quills acting like floatation devices. So remember, never try to hug one, no matter how cute they look!
Fun Fact: Porcupines communicate with each other using a variety of sounds like grunts, wails and even tooth clicking, pretty similar to Morse code in the wild!
| Porcupine | |
|---|---|
| Size | 25-36 inches (63.5-91.4 cm) |
| Weight | 12-35 lbs (5.4-15.9 kg) |
| Speed | 2mph (3.2km/h) |
| Key Strength | Sharp quills for protection |
| Biggest Weakness | Slow movement |
| Scientific Name | Erethizon dorsatum |
| Family | Erethizontidae |
| Habitat | Forests, deserts, grasslands |
| Geography | North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia |
| Diet | Leaves, bark, and stems of trees |
| Lifespan | 5 years - 10 years |
Porcupine Matchups
We use AI to simulate matchups between the Porcupine and other animals. Our simulation considers size, strength, and natural predatory behaviors to determine the most likely outcome.
Fun Fact: Guess what? Porcupines cannot shoot their quills as many believe- it's a common myth! They actually release them when predators touch them or come too close.
Fun Fact: Porcupines have an immense appetite and can gnaw their way through your favorite wooden furniture or tool handles because they love the taste of salty, human sweat!