AIWC KID'S ANSWER PAGE - Question 3

WHAT AM I????

A PORCUPINE!

Cool Stuff to know about porcupines!

- Porcupines are sodium hungry creatures (it's like candy to them!) which is why they cannot resist the salt we put on the roads in the winter. This often gets them into trouble as motorists do not see them until it is too late.

- Adult porcupines weigh between 15 and 20 lbs, however some healthy males will reach masses up to 30 lbs.

- The main predators of porcupines are humans and fishers. (NOTE: A fisher is a fur-bearing mammal similar to a marten or a wolverine. Their fur is mostly dark brown almost black in colour with white tips.)

- Porcupine quills are NOT filled with air (another false myth about porcupines). This means that when removing quills from an object or animal they are lodged into, DO NOT CUT OFF THE ENDS!!   This only makes it harder to remove the quill, as there is less of the quill end to hold onto.

- Porcupines stay active all winter long and do not hibernate.

- Porcupines are excellent tree climbers!

- Like Koala Bears in Australia, a porcupine's natural diet includes tree bark, which often has sedative chemicals in it that keep our porcupine friends very mellow!

- NEVER FORGET that this animal who is often misunderstood is an important part of the forest ecosystem. Remember, porcupines want to keep out of your way so please respect their personal space and allow them to continue on their way!!