Wildlife

Porcupines are often referred to as "porkys" or "quill pigs." They are the second largest rodent in Alaska, and their unique pelage sets them apart from all other mammals of North America. Porcupines are stout and short-legged, usually 25 to 31 inches long weighing 15 to 18 pounds. Colors vary from black to brown with lighter guard hairs that give the coat hues of yellow or white. The tail is short and thick. Porcupines are covered with hair everywhere except for their noses and the pads of their feet, and have defensive quills covering their back and sides.

The quills are hollow, modified hairs which are barbed on the outer end. Quills from different parts of the body vary in length, color, flexibility, and diameter. Despite common folklore, porcupines do not throw their quills. When threatened, they raise their quills, turn their backs, and swish their tails vigorously. The quills easily detach from the porcupine's skin, and the barbed ends may work deeply into any attacker who touches the porcupine, sometimes resulting in death.

Porcupines prefer forests but have been spotted living among the willows and alders across treeless portions of Alaska. Porcupines eat a variety of vegetation including leaves, buds, bark, and twigs. Their vegetarian diet lacks the sodium necessary to balance their potassium levels, so porcupines often visit natural salt licks. Porcupines are also known to be attracted to other possible potassium sources, such as human perspiration on tools, road salt, some paint, shed antlers and bones. They den in hollow trees or natural caves, but do not hibernate. On Togiak Refuge, wolverines are probably the most common predator of porcupines.

Breeding occurs in November and a single young is born in March. The young are born with quills that are soft, but harden and stiffen quickly as the young dry, affording them protection soon after birth.

Resources:

Burt, William H. and Richard P. Grossenheider. 1980. Peterson field guide to mammals. Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston Massachusetts.

Alaska Geographic Society. 1996. Mammals of Alaska: a comprehensive field guide from the publishers of Alaska geographic. The Alaska Geographic Society. Anchorage Alaska.

For more information, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's wildlife notebook pages.

Last updated: July 24, 2008