Mammals nocturnal

North American Porcupine

Erethizon dorsatum

The North American Porcupine is a slow-moving, quill-covered marvel of the forest that often goes unnoticed until it's caught on camera. These solitary rodents are master climbers and resilient survivors, making them a fascinating 'heavyweight' visitor for any backyard trail cam enthusiast.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 60–90 cm (24–36 in); Weight: 5–14 kg (12–35 lbs)

palette

Colors

Dark brown to black underfur covered by long, yellowish-white quills with black tips. No significant color difference between males and females.

visibility

Key Features

Coated in approximately 30,000 sharp, barbed quills
Short, thick, muscular tail used for defense and climbing
Small, rounded head with dark eyes and barely visible ears
Large, curved claws adapted for climbing trees

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern nocturnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 8 PM - 4 AM

calendar_month

Season Year-round; most visible in winter when foliage is gone and they are active on tree bark.

restaurant

Diet Strict herbivores. In summer, they eat berries, seeds, and leaves. In winter, they transition to eating evergreen needles and the inner bark (cambium) of trees.

park

Habitat Coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests; often wanders into suburban yards with mature trees or wooden structures.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

The North American Porcupine is a largely solitary and slow-moving rodent, though it may share a winter den with others to conserve heat. While they are famous for their defensive quills, they are non-aggressive and prefer to retreat or climb trees when threatened. If cornered, they will turn their back to the predator, tuck their head, and lash out with their powerful, quilled tail. Contrary to popular myth, they cannot 'throw' their quills; the quills only detach upon contact.

These animals are master climbers, spending a significant portion of their lives high in the canopy foraging for food. On the ground, they have a distinctive waddling gait. They are surprisingly vocal, especially during the autumn mating season, producing a variety of moans, grunts, and high-pitched shrieks that can sound eerily human to an unsuspecting homeowner.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of a porcupine, position your camera about 2 to 3 feet off the ground. Since porcupines are frequent climbers, aim the camera at the base of large, textured trees like hemlocks, oaks, or pines. If you notice 'girdled' trees (where bark has been stripped away in patches), that is a primary activity zone. Angle the camera slightly upward to capture them as they begin their ascent or descent from the canopy.

Because porcupines have an intense craving for sodium, especially in the spring, mineral blocks or 'salt licks' placed in front of a camera are highly effective lures. Be aware that they are known to chew on wooden tool handles, porch railings, or even tires to satisfy this salt craving, so placing your camera near wooden structures they’ve previously nibbled on is a winning strategy. Just ensure your camera and mounting straps are secure, as their curious gnawing can sometimes extend to equipment!

Set your camera to take short video clips (15-20 seconds) rather than just stills. Porcupines move slowly, and a video captures their unique waddle and the way their quills shift as they move. Since they are strictly nocturnal, ensure your camera has a strong infrared flash. Black-LED or 'No-Glow' cameras are preferred to avoid startling them, although they generally have poor eyesight and are more sensitive to sound and scent than light.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with North American Porcupine.

North American Beaver

Beavers have a flat, leather-like tail and lack quills; they are much more aquatic than porcupines.

Groundhog

Groundhogs are smaller, lack quills, and are primarily diurnal (active during the day).

Raccoon

Raccoons have a masked face and ringed tail; they lack the quills and the slow, heavy waddle of a porcupine.

Frequently Asked Questions

North American Porcupines are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. They usually emerge from their dens at dusk to forage and return before sunrise, though they can occasionally be seen during the day resting on high tree branches.

The most effective way to attract them is by providing a salt source, such as a mineral block. They are also drawn to properties with mature softwood trees for food and shelter. However, be cautious as they may chew on wooden outdoor furniture or structures.

Their diet changes with the seasons. In the spring and summer, they eat buds, clover, and succulent plants. In the winter, they survive almost exclusively on the inner bark of trees (cambium) and evergreen needles.

Yes, they are increasingly common in suburban areas that border woodlands. As long as there are plenty of trees and a water source nearby, they can adapt well to living near humans, often using crawl spaces or woodpiles as dens.

While both are large rodents, the porcupine is covered in sharp yellowish-white quills and has a round, quilled tail. Beavers have smooth brown fur and a distinctively flat, paddle-like tail, and are almost always found near water.

Record North American Porcupine at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo