The North American Porcupine is the second-largest rodent on the continent, covered in roughly 30,000 barbed quills. A slow-moving, mostly nocturnal tree climber with a fondness for salt.
Best time to see a North American Porcupine
The best time to see a North American Porcupine is March–August, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 19,186 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a North American Porcupine? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent North American Porcupine sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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