DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
North America between the Arctic Ocean and northern Mexico, mainly Alaska and Canada, west and northeast regions of the United States. They live in a variety of habitats including dense forests, tundra, grasslands and desert shrub areas.
BEHAVIOUR
They spend most of their time alone only in winter they sometimes share winter dens with others individuals. This species is nocturnal and arboreal. They does not hibernate, spend winter in rock dens
DIET
Winter foods are primarily the bark. In the spring their diet shifts and they begin feeding on roots, leaves, berries, seeds and grasses.
REPRODUCTION
Pregnancy lasts 210 days, after which a female gives birth to a single offspring. Young are nursed for about 127 days. They become independent of their mothers at 5 months of age.
GOOD TO KNOW
Possess a very unique defense system, they use quills to deter predators. These animals have about 30 000 quills on the dorsal side of body. The quills are not hollow, but are filled with a spongy substance, which makes them very rigid and light.
- Latin name:Erethizon dorsatum
- IUCN –Red List – LC – least concern
