PORCUPINE. Porcupines are 23-39 inches long including a 7-9 inch tail. They are up to 12 inches tall at the shoulder.
and weigh 15-28 pounds. They are black or brownish black with a yellowish tenge from quills.
Quills are stiff with a foam-like core and tips that are barbed like a fish hook. They are 2 in 1 half to 4 in 1/2 inches long.
and loosely attached to the porcupine's skin.
Babies, called porcupettes, are born in April or May weighing 1-2 pounds at birth.
They have a life span of 5-7 years.
They live in forested areas over most of Alaska. They eat most lush, green plants and flowers during the summer.
During the winter they eat the inner bark of the trees.
