Over the past year, chewed tree branches too high for deer to reach indicated a porcupine was likely dining regularly in the backyard. This week I finally spotted the suspect in action, munching on maple. Since porcupines are usually active at night, I was surprised to see him late on a bright, sunny morning.
His black claws and the long hairs of his fur shone in the sunlight. As soon as he heard me, he froze. His underbelly appeared soft and vulnerable. Porcupines are protected by law in some North American locations as they are easy, nutritious prey for humans lost in the woods who may be armed with nothing more than a stick.
When I decided to move closer, his brunch interrupted, he slowly came down from his perch on the tree stump next to the branches, and made his way into the bush. His quill-covered back was huge but seemed so well camouflaged in its woodland setting. You wouldn’t want to step on that by mistake. Another reason to walk, not run, in the woods.
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2014
Flandrum Hill 
A porcupine in a tree is such a droll sight, isn’t it? Still, if one were lost in the woods and starving, I should think that might justify killing a porcupine. Experts say that hunting for berries burns more calories than the berries provide.
Pamela, I haven’t heard about the berries burning more calories, but I have heard that about rabbit. Funny how Nature’s ‘fast food’ is lower in calories. Porcupine would definitely be ‘slow food.’
Don’t you think that HE has a very big belly ? Could he be a she ? Maybe she needs to eat for two or three or four ?
Sybil, mating season for porcupines is in late summer so, even though he/she is big, pregnancy wouldn’t be a factor at this time of year. Perhaps there’s just been a whole lot of eating going on.
The quills on its back remind me of a wheat field in the sun – billowing like waves. Still, one must be careful not to be too mesmerized, as one could be mesmerized directly into the ER!
Aubrey, its quills certainly are lovely and plentiful. I wonder if dogs are mesmerized before they get a mouthful of quills. My dog never learned to keep a safe distance from them.
What a thrill to come across a porcupine and see him up close! I don’t recall ever encountering one in the woods where I grew up. We do have fishers, though, and I understand they are one of the few predators who can successfully prey on porcupines.
Barbara, I’ve often seen them at dawn but never in the bright daylight before. I’ve heard of fishers preying on porcupines too. They flip them in order to expose their more vulnerable underside.
I don’t get to see porcupines very often, but Miss Sadie has encountered them a time or two . . .
It’s a treat to look at this one all I want without worrying about its clever little quills.
Don’t think I have ever seen a porcupine in the wild. Seen a lot of jack rabbits and armadillos though.