The porcupine is a mediumsized rodent, related to mice and rats and beaver. Uldis rozes book provides a wealth of fascinating details written in an. The north american porcupine, best known of the new world species, is a heavyset, shortlegged, slowmoving rodent that is usually solitary, nocturnal, herbivorous, and spends much of its time in trees. The north american porcupine smithsonian nature books. Facts about the north american porcupine a picture book for kids 120 kindle edition by lisa strattin. Total skull lengths were approximated from mark elbrochs animal skulls. Apr 09, 2019 the quills of north american porcupines have microscopic backwardfacing barbs on the tips. Biologist uldis roze describes it as having a penetrating quality similar to the smell of goat or perhaps exotic cheese. Long and sympathetic watching, radio tracking, chemical analysis. The porcupine removes the outer bark unless the tree is young or has thin outer bark and then it eats the outer bark as well in order to reach the cambium layer, which lies directly beneath the outer bark. Field guidemammalsnorth american porcupine wikibooks. North american porcupines are large, solitary rodents commonly found in new england including connecticut. The north american porcupine waddles through the forests of north america.
The north american porcupine by uldis roze, hardcover. Summary print shows a left profile view of a north american porcupine, fulllength, standing. Scientific americanthe north american porcupine erethizon dorsatum is. Our 2020 north american porcupine babies are starting to arrive. North american porcupine species profile, alaska department.
Porcupine barbs for better wound healing ncpr news. It is distributed throughout most of the timbered areas of north america. The north american porcupine, recently released in a second edition, summates these efforts. The north american porcupine is one of the largest rodents found in north america, coming second to the north america beaver. Instantly recognizable from its shape and coating of 30,000 quills, porcupines are native to the forests of north america. The north american porcupine erethizon dorsatum has the most northerly range of all porcupines. The north american porcupine by uldis roze goodreads. The first edition of the north american porcupine was a naturalist writing at his best ranging from habitat to biology to folklore and more all in a style that makes for great reading. Book early because these are a very hot commodity to be had each and every year. The quills of north american porcupines have microscopic backwardfacing barbs on the tips.
Sep 01, 2009 9780801446467 the north american porcupine, 2d ed. The north american porcupine erethizon dorsatum, also known as the canadian porcupine or common porcupine, is a large rodent in the new world porcupine family. Porcupine quills have antibiotic properties, as porcupines sometimes quill themselves. The porcupine is a quillbearing rodent order rodentia of the families erethizontidae new world and hystricidae old world. The north american porcupine smithsonian nature books series, no. Biokids kids inquiry of diverse species, erethizon. In the winter, the bulk of a porcupines diet is the inner bark, or cambium, of trees.
The technique of porcupinequill decoration among the north. After the beaver the the north amerincan porcupine is the second largest rodent in north america. Title north american porcupine erethizon dorsatus e. In keeping with its subject animal, the book presents a forbidding exterior. The beaver is the only rodent in north america that is larger than the north american porcupine.
Its latin name means quill pig, which is the regional american name of the porcupine. Although they are elusive and mostly nocturnal they can be found perched in the top of a. The porcupine is a caviomorph rodent whose ancestors rafted across the atlantic from africa to brazil over 40 million years ago, and then migrated to north america during the great american interchange after the isthmus of panama rose 3 million years ago. The slowmoving north american porcupine is canadas secondlargest rodent beavers are larger. I expect roze to meet the same standards for this second edition of the book. North american porcupine species profile, alaska department of. The north american porcupine smithsonian nature books series, no 8 paperback september 17, 1989 by roze uldis author. Porcupines give you 30,000 reasons to back off kqed. Immobilization of north american porcupines erethizon dorsatum using ketamine and xylazine. North american porcupine smithsonians national zoo. Field guidemammalsnorth american porcupine wikibooks, open. North american porcupine babies for sale at back 40 game farm. Josh cassidy kqed any potential predator unfamiliar with a porcupine, such as a dog or mountain lion, would be wise to heed its warnings across three senses, according to rozes book, the north american porcupine.
Researchers at harvard are looking to porcupine quills for inspiration in designing a new type of. The north american studbook is now offering a full equine passport. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading facts about the north american porcupine a picture book for kids 120. North american porcupine lafayette, in official website. Jul 24, 2016 buy facts about the north american porcupine a picture book for kids, vol 120 on free shipping on qualified orders. The passport includes all registration information, pedigree, dna and more. Facts about the north american porcupine a picture book. This book is a comprehensive and sympathetic description of the life and biology of porcupines, expressed through the cycles of the seasons and of their lives. The north american porcupine is the second largest of all rodents in north america. Buy facts about the north american porcupine a picture book for kids, vol 120 on.
Apr 09, 2019 when the porcupine is relaxed, its other hairs and fur hide most of the quills. Find north american porcupine information at encyclopedia of life. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. North american studbook north american warmblood registry.
North american porcupine naturally curious with mary holland. It also has convenient pages for all your medical and show records, approvals and federations record. The north american porcupine is the only species that lives in the u. Porcupines are generally solitary in nature, although groups up to a dozen may gather at certain nocturnal feeding sites during summer and early autumn. This book is a great resource to help solve an animal skull mystery. Museum of the american indian, heye foundation, 1971.
One porcupine may have as many as 30,000 quills, each of possesses tiny backward pointing barbs. Facts about the north american porcupine a picture book for. The north american porcupine erethizon dorsatum, also known as the canadian porcupine. There are more than two dozen porcupine species, and all boast a coat of needlelike quills to give predators a sharp reminder that this animal is no easy meal. Buy facts about the north american porcupine a picture book for kids, vol 120 on free shipping on qualified orders. May 31, 2014 north american porcupines are large, solitary rodents commonly found in new england including connecticut. Even with their formidable spiny defence the north american porcupine is preyed upon successfully by several predators including mountain lions and fishers. Nov 17, 2014 therefore, this skull belonged to a north american porcupine erethizon dorsatum. Pdf on sep 1, 1999, rurik list and others published status of the north american porcupine erethizon dorsatum in mexico find, read and. A facilitated release mechanism for quills of the north american porcupine erethizon dorsatum.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The north american porcupine, also known as the canadian porcupine or common porcupine, is a large rodent in the new world porcupine family. The north american porcupine is similar to the central or south american porcupine, but is more likely to be found in a cold environment. In his book, the north american porcupine, roze identifies the molecule responsible for the odor as rdeltadecalactone. Although they are elusive and mostly nocturnal they can. The north american porcupine erethizon dorsatum is universally recognizable, yet has a complex biology that continues to fascinate. Others compare it to strong, unwashed human body odor, marijuana and coconut. In the north american porcupine he transforms a prickly varmint into an intriguing animal whose every action raises an ecological and evolutionary question whose thread must be followed. Get pricing and book your zoo to you experience today. Its head and body are 25 to 40 long, with a long, thick, muscular tail growing as long as 8. They weigh around 20 pounds 9 kilograms and are 2 to 3 feet 60 to 90 centimeters in length.
This large nocturnal rodent has also developed a unique hairstyle in the name of personal protection. Porcupines give you 30,000 reasons to back off deep look. The african porcupine is not a climber and forages on the ground. Taxonomically, the way scientists assign order to species using latin names, the north american porcupine, erethizon dorsatum, is the only species dorsatum in its genus erethizon. Sep 30, 2016 the north american porcupine erethizon dorsatum is the secondlargest rodent in north america, beat out only by the beaver, according to the university of michigan, museum of zoology. Home books the technique of porcupinequill decoration among the north american indians orchard, william c. All anyone needs to know about your horse in one elegant and simple booklet. The slowmoving herbivore uses them as a lastresort defense against predators. The penultimate chapter, in which the author rehabilitates an orphaned porcupine he names musa, teaching her to climb trees and forage, show the scientific insights that come from such. This largebodied, slowmoving herbivore is found in coniferous and mixed forested areas through much of the northern and western united states and in canada. North american porcupines are the second largest rodents in north america here are some of their best shots of wildlife in honor of world wildlife day. It has a small head, a large, chunky body with a high arching back and short legs.
Uldis roze is the author of the north american porcupine 4. Facts about the north american porcupine a picture book for kids. While they cant shoot their quills at predators, the quills are loosely attached and designed to deter predators. The north american porcupine has a cute face, but it has upward of 30,000 menacing quills covering much of its body.
1260 640 798 1274 46 761 1169 1012 713 1151 450 990 1475 1436 706 679 1597 1256 876 1239 1011 337 975 67 1649 376 903 400 164 134 1656 899 1118 82 1001 113 303 95 930 360 952 666