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North American Porcupine

Erethizon dorsata

Very spiky armor.

  • The North American porcupine likes salt, that is why we find it close to roads. It also likes the glue used in plywood, which is what drives it to chew boats or buildings.
  • There are more than 30 000 quills distributed over its back and tail. They are modified hairs that easily fall out and which are equipped with a small hook at the extremity, making its extraction very difficult.
  • It is a good swimmer. It is the air in its quills that gives it floatability.
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