Porcupines
When it comes to these prickly critters one thing is certain, for an animal that is not usually aggressive; he has obtained quite a reputation as a fierce animal.
Description
- A large rodent with distinct, barbed quills on back, sides, and tail; long guard hairs usually yellowish, impart a yellowish or yellowish-brown appearance. On average a porcupine weights, 10-25 lbs.
- They are expert at climbing trees, although their movements are slow, and seemingly awkward.
- In winter when snow covers the ground, porcupines seldom travel far from their dens. As warm weather approaches, the amount of travel increases.
Diet
- Their diet consists of berries, leaves, twigs, and tree bark. The death of many trees is blamed on the porcupine, as they enjoy the softer underside of the tree bark and the removal of this protective layer often results in the death of the tree.
- Throughout the year the porcupine is more of a browser than a grazer and subsists in large measure on the inner bark of trees and shrubs.
- Porcupines are especially fond of salt and are easily attracted to it, a fact which is useful in their control.
Behaviour
- Breeding takes place in late summer and early fall. The young, usually one are born later in April and May.
- At birth the young porcupine weighs about 450 g and is larger than a newborn black bear. It is covered with a good coat of blackish hair, the quills are well-developed.
- The young porcupines grow slowly as compared with most rodents but make up for it with a relatively long lifespan.
- These mammals are primarily nocturnal, feeding and traveling during darkness. They do not hibernate and are active all winter.
Prevention and Friendly Reminders
- Porcupines will stand their ground when threatened. A porcupines quill is very sharp and barbed on the end, making entry easy, and removal painful.
- One false belief that has arisen about the porcupine is there supposed ability to 'throw' their quills. Untrue, as at no time could porcupines do this. For this to occur you would have to have actual physical contact with the porcupine.
- Skoot or thiram-based compounds are the only products that may be used for porcupines in
Canada. These products can be brushed or sprayed on most vegetation. They give a bitter and offensive taste to the plant. Do not apply repellents to plants normally grown for human or animal consumption; the repellents will make the plants inedible. - Live trapping can be successful using a wire cage trap or wooden box trap. Set the trap at the base of a large tree or a leaning one near the damage site. Bait a small cubby (enclosed space) with a salt-soaked piece of leather or wood, salt mixed with cooking oil or vegetable pieces such as carrot, turnip, etc. Porcupines like salt.
Relocate the animal a good distance away (up to 45 km), and release in an non-agricultural area.
This is truly an amazing animal, and if left alone, will do you no harm!
If you would like more information on porcupines or
other any other pest, call 780-417-7100.
Last updated: Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Page ID: 3489