June – our Porcupine

The Amerikazentrum has taken on an animal sponsorship for the North American porcupine named June at Hagenbeck Zoo for the years 2022 and 2023.

June was born on April 22, 2019, and resides in Hagenbeck Zoo, enclosure No. 59. A week after her third birthday, the Amerikazentrum visited her to meet her in person. Although we hoped to see her in her preferred environment— up in the trees — June “missed” our visit and we only managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of her in her dark shelter. Despite her distinctive scent, we have grown very fond of her.

Transatlantic friendship can take many forms and colors (and even smells!), and this sponsorship is a perfect example of that.

North American porcupines, also known as New World porcupines, are found across the entire North American continent and resemble Old World porcupines in body structure. The North American porcupine is also known as the “Urson” and is one of the most well-known porcupine species. They are nocturnal and excellent climbers.

Size and Body Structure

Porcupines have a stocky build with a somewhat rounded head, blunt snout, and short limbs. Their backs and sides are covered with long quills, which often have barbs and primarily serve as a defense mechanism when escape, such as climbing trees, is not possible. Adult porcupines have around 30,000 quills, which can be up to eight centimeters long. Newborns have a soft, woolly coat and develop their first small quills only a few hours after birth.

Porcupines can grow up to one meter in length, with their tails measuring about 14-30 cm of this length. Their feet have long, curved claws that aid in climbing trees. While porcupines have poor eyesight, they have highly developed senses of touch and smell.

Overall, porcupines can weigh up to around 18 kilograms, making them the second-largest rodent in North America after the beaver.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Porcupines live either alone or in pairs. They reach sexual maturity at about 1.5 years of age. Their mating season occurs in the fall and early winter. The gestation period is typically between 200 and 220 days, resulting in the birth of usually a single offspring. The young can climb within a few days of birth. Porcupines can live up to 14 years.

Habitat and Diet

Porcupines prefer forests but can also be found in grasslands or rocky areas. They primarily feed on plant material, holding their food between their front paws. Their diet includes tree bark, leaves, shoots, fruits, and roots.

Predators and Conservation Status

Their predators include martens, foxes, wolves, lynxes, coyotes, wolverines, minks, weasels, pumas, owls, and bears. According to the IUCN Red List, their conservation status is currently listed as “not endangered”