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Erethizon dorsatum

(Linnaeus, 1758)

North American Porcupine

G5Secure Found in 173 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.101195
Element CodeAMAFJ01010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilyErethizontidae
GenusErethizon
Synonyms
Erethizon dorsata(Linnaeus, 1758)Erethizon dorsatus(Linnaeus, 1758)
Other Common Names
North American porcupine (EN) Porc-épic d'Amérique (FR) Porcupine (EN)
Concept Reference
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-04
Change Date1996-11-15
Edition Date2008-06-23
Range Extent Comments
Range extends from central Alaska eastward to southern Hudson Bay and Labrador, and south in eastern North America to the northeastern United States (New England, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Maryland, and formerly to Virginia and North Carolina) and in central and western North America to central Texas, northern Coahuila, Chihuahua, Sonora, and southern California (Rose and Ilse, in Feldhamer et al. 2003).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Prefers coniferous and mixed forests; also inhabits riparian zones, grasslands, shrublands, and deserts in some parts of the range. Winter den may be in a rock outcrop, live hollow tree, hollow log, or outbuilding. May shelter in dense conifers in winter.

Ecology

Summer range may average up to 50-100 ha; winter range is less if there is much snow cover. Density may be 25-58/sq mile in good habitat (Baker 1983).

Reproduction

Breeds September to November or December. Gestation lasts 17-18 weeks, usually 210 days, with births in spring. Lactation lasts about 4 months (spring-summer). Only one young is reared each year. Sexually mature in 15-16 months. In the Great Basin, Nevada, one of 13 juveniles, 100% of 2 and 3 year olds, and 90% of individuals 4 years old or older were pregnant (Sweitzer and Holcombe, 1993, J. Mamm. 74:769-776).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodForest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparral
Palustrine Habitats
FORESTED WETLAND
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
Northwest TerritoriesS5Yes
AlbertaS5Yes
Nova ScotiaS5Yes
NunavutSUYes
SaskatchewanS4Yes
British ColumbiaS4Yes
QuebecS5Yes
LabradorS5Yes
OntarioS5Yes
New BrunswickS5Yes
Yukon TerritoryS5Yes
ManitobaS5Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
WisconsinS4Yes
WashingtonS5Yes
KansasS3Yes
VirginiaS1Yes
Rhode IslandS3Yes
OhioSXYes
IowaSXYes
WyomingS5Yes
MaineS5Yes
IllinoisSXYes
North DakotaSNRYes
ArizonaS4Yes
West VirginiaS3Yes
New YorkS5Yes
South DakotaS5Yes
NevadaSNRYes
IdahoS3Yes
OregonS3Yes
TexasS5Yes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
ColoradoS5Yes
Navajo NationS5Yes
CaliforniaS3Yes
VermontS5Yes
MassachusettsS5Yes
New JerseyS4Yes
MinnesotaSNRYes
New HampshireS5Yes
MarylandS3Yes
IndianaSXYes
North CarolinaSXYes
AlaskaS5Yes
New MexicoS5Yes
MichiganS5Yes
OklahomaS3Yes
MontanaS3Yes
NebraskaS4Yes
UtahS4Yes
ConnecticutS5Yes
Roadless Areas (173)
Alaska (40)
AreaForestAcres
Bering LakeChugach National Forest965,076
Boston BarChugach National Forest53,617
CamdenTongass National Forest36,793
CastleTongass National Forest49,289
ChichagofTongass National Forest555,858
Chilkat-West Lynn CanalTongass National Forest199,772
College FiordChugach National Forest1,130,818
Copper River WetlandsChugach National Forest85,972
Douglas IslandTongass National Forest28,065
East MitkofTongass National Forest8,795
East WrangellTongass National Forest7,630
FanshawTongass National Forest48,248
Fidalgo-GravinaChugach National Forest257,968
Five MileTongass National Forest19,459
Green RocksTongass National Forest11,093
Johnson PassChugach National Forest152,508
Juneau UrbanTongass National Forest101,581
Juneau-Skagway IcefieldTongass National Forest1,187,268
KekuTongass National Forest10,869
Kenai LakeChugach National Forest213,172
Kenai MountainsChugach National Forest306,600
LindenbergTongass National Forest25,855
MadanTongass National Forest68,553
Mansfield PeninsulaTongass National Forest54,991
Nellie JuanChugach National Forest713,697
North EtolinTongass National Forest40,993
North KupreanofTongass National Forest114,660
North WrangellTongass National Forest8,091
ResurrectionChugach National Forest224,615
RhineTongass National Forest23,010
Roaded DonutChugach National Forest968
Rocky PassTongass National Forest78,163
Sheridan GlacierChugach National Forest224,683
South KupreanofTongass National Forest216,816
SpiresTongass National Forest533,746
Taku-SnettishamTongass National Forest664,928
Twenty MileChugach National Forest198,775
West WrangellTongass National Forest10,291
Windham-Port HoughtonTongass National Forest161,952
Yakutat ForelandsTongass National Forest323,648
California (9)
AreaForestAcres
Black ButteMendocino National Forest15,461
DardanellesEldorado National Forest8,110
Glass MountainInyo National Forest52,867
Granite ChiefTahoe National Forest6,546
Lake EleanorShasta-Trinity National Forest397
Mt. OlsenInyo National Forest2,161
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
SherwinInyo National Forest3,140
Trail LakeLassen National Forest1,124
Colorado (7)
AreaForestAcres
Bristol HeadRio Grande NF46,087
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Pagoda PeakRoutt NF57,676
San MiguelSan Juan NF64,263
Storm PeakSan Juan NF57,617
Idaho (4)
AreaForestAcres
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
Italian PeakCaribou-Targhee National Forest141,158
NeedlesPayette National Forest131,279
PalisadesCaribou-Targhee National Forest122,002
Minnesota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Brule Lake - Eagle MountainSuperior National Forest12,380
Montana (15)
AreaForestAcres
Anderson MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest31,501
BeartoothGallatin National Forest5,285
Crazy MountainGallatin National Forest82,093
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,305
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
Italian PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest90,401
LionheadGallatin National Forest33,549
MadisonGallatin National Forest127,859
Mt. Gmt Area HCuster National Forest1,335
North AbsarokaCuster National Forest21,063
North Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest52,227
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Tongue River BreaksCuster National Forest17,481
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
Nevada (3)
AreaForestAcres
Duck Creek Mtns.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest12,165
Ruby - Lamoille CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest32,771
South SchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest125,614
New Hampshire (7)
AreaForestAcres
Carr MountainWhite Mountain National Forest17,110
Great Gulf Ext.White Mountain National Forest15,110
Kinsman MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,999
PemigewassetWhite Mountain National Forest32,255
Presidential - Dry River ExtWhite Mountain National Forest10,555
Sandwich RangeWhite Mountain National Forest16,797
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest46,878
New Mexico (5)
AreaForestAcres
Canjilon Mtn.Carson National Forest7,972
Cruces BasinCarson National Forest5,244
Last Chance CanyonLincoln National Forest8,934
Oser MesaCarson National Forest2,840
West Face Sacramento MountainsLincoln National Forest41,176
North Dakota (4)
AreaForestAcres
Collar / Bennett - CottonwoodDakota Prairie Grasslands19,697
Strom - HansonDakota Prairie Grasslands18,957
Twin ButtesDakota Prairie Grasslands13,492
WannaganDakota Prairie Grasslands6,026
Oregon (9)
AreaForestAcres
DeadhorseWallowa-Whitman National Forest10,690
Hebo 1aSiuslaw National Forest13,930
Hurricane CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest1,606
Imnaha FaceWallowa-Whitman National Forest29,575
Myrtle SilviesMalheur National Forest11,679
Sheep DivideWallowa-Whitman National Forest16,201
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
Snake RiverWallowa-Whitman National Forest31,229
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
Pennsylvania (2)
AreaForestAcres
Allegheny FrontAllegheny National Forest7,430
CornplanterAllegheny National Forest2,929
South Dakota (2)
AreaForestAcres
Cheyenne RiverBuffalo Gap National Grassland7,572
Red ShirtBuffalo Gap National Grassland17,007
Utah (32)
AreaForestAcres
0401002Ashley National Forest36,113
0401016Ashley National Forest5,695
0401023Ashley National Forest8,352
0401032Ashley National Forest6,471
0419020Ashley National Forest355,684
418001Uinta National Forest5,697
418004Uinta National Forest16,661
418006Uinta National Forest11,714
418040Uinta National Forest1,702
Boulder MountainWasatch-Cache National Forest8,852
Boulder Mtn. / Boulder Top / Deer LakeDixie National Forest110,690
GibsonWasatch-Cache National Forest5,350
High Uintas (UT)Wasatch-Cache National Forest102,398
Horse Mountain - Mans PeakManti-Lasal National Forest22,159
LakesWasatch-Cache National Forest121,967
Little West Fork BlacksWasatch-Cache National Forest8,209
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Mahogany RangeWasatch-Cache National Forest11,409
Mollens HollowWasatch-Cache National Forest17,690
Mt. AireWasatch-Cache National Forest9,681
Mt. Logan NorthWasatch-Cache National Forest18,930
Mt. Logan SouthWasatch-Cache National Forest17,014
Mt. NaomiWasatch-Cache National Forest41,922
Mt. OlympusWasatch-Cache National Forest9,982
NoblettsWasatch-Cache National Forest3,116
North FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest8,148
Oak CreekFishlake National Forest54,053
Price RiverManti-Lasal National Forest24,349
Temple PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest24,081
Twin PeaksWasatch-Cache National Forest6,157
Upper South ForkWasatch-Cache National Forest16,811
White PineWasatch-Cache National Forest1,942
Vermont (4)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,833
Lye Brook Addition 09085Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,111
Wilder Mountain 09082Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests8,759
Washington (3)
AreaForestAcres
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
ManastashWenatchee National Forest11,155
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
Wisconsin (3)
AreaForestAcres
09154 - St. Peters DomeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest4,002
09162 - MooseChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest6,161
09166 - East TorchChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest4,647
Wyoming (23)
AreaForestAcres
Beartooth Proposed WildernessShoshone National Forest16,837
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest295,113
Gros Ventre MountainsBridger-Teton National Forest106,418
Hazelton PeaksBighorn National Forest10,029
Headwaters Sunlight CreekShoshone National Forest6,016
Libby FlatsMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest11,107
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Munger MountainBridger-Teton National Forest12,827
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
PalisadesTarghee National Forest1,121
Phillips RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest10,108
Singer PeakMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest10,498
Snowy RangeMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest29,660
South Beartooth HighwayShoshone National Forest105,570
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest166,097
Sulphur CreekShoshone National Forest30,221
Teton Corridor TrailheadsBridger-Teton National Forest286
Walker PrairieBighorn National Forest62,434
Wapiti Valley NorthShoshone National Forest18,345
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest47,448
West Slope WindsBridger-Teton National Forest143,252
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
References (24)
  1. American Society of Mammalogists (ASM). 2025. Mammal Diversity Database (Version 1.13) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10595931. Online. Available: https://www.mammaldiversity.org/
  2. Baker, R. H. 1983. Michigan mammals. Michigan State University Press. 642 pp.
  3. Banfield, A. W. F. 1974. The mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada. 438 pp.
  4. Brander, R. B. 1973. Life-history notes on the porcupine in a hardwood-hemlock forest in upper Michigan. Michigan Academician 5:425-33.
  5. Caire, W., J. D. Tyler, B. P. Glass, and M. A. Mares. 1989. Mammals of Oklahoma. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman. Oklahoma. 567 pp.
  6. Costello, D.F. 1966. The world of the porcupine. N.Y. 157 pp.
  7. Craig, E. H., and B. L. Keller. 1986. Movements and home range of porcupine, <i>Erethizon dorsatum</i>, in Idaho shrub desert. Can. Field-Nat. 100:167-173.
  8. Feldhamer, G. A., B. C. Thompson, and J. A. Chapman, editors. 2003. Wild mammals of North America: biology, management and conservation. Second edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 1,216 pp.
  9. Godin, A. J. 1977. Wild mammals of New England. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 304 pp.
  10. Hall, E. R. 1981a. The Mammals of North America, second edition. Vols. I &amp; II. John Wiley &amp; Sons, New York, New York. 1181 pp.
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  12. Hebda, A.J. 2011. List of mammals of Nova Scotia (including synonyms used in the literature relating to Nova Scotia) (revision 2) 24 July 2011. Nova Scotia Museum Collections Unit, Halifax, Nova Scotia. 24 pp. Online. Available: https://naturalhistory.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/inline/images/names_and_synonyms_ver3.pdf
  13. Hoffmeister, D. F. 1986. Mammals of Arizona. University of Arizona Press and Arizona Game and Fish Department. 602 pp.
  14. Jones, J. K., Jr., R. S. Hoffman, D. W. Rice, C. Jones, R. J. Baker, and M. D. Engstrom. 1992a. Revised checklist of North American mammals north of Mexico, 1991. Occasional Papers, The Museum, Texas Tech University, 146:1-23.
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  16. Mammalian Species, nos. 1-604. Published by the American Society of Mammalogists.
  17. Marshall, W. H., G. W. Gullion, and S. Schwab. 1962. Early summer activities of porcupines as determined by radio- positioning techniques. Journal of Wildlife Management 26:75-79.
  18. Roze, U. 1989. The North American porcupine. Smithsonian Inst. Press, Washington, D.C. x + 261 pp.
  19. Roze, V. 1987. Denning and winter range of the porcupine. Can. J. Zool. 65:981-986.
  20. Shapiro, J. 1949. Ecological and life history notes on the porcupine in the Adirondacks. J. Mamm. 30:247-257.
  21. Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
  22. Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 2005. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Third edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. Two volumes. 2,142 pp. [As modified by ASM the Mammal Diversity Database (MDD) at https://www.mammaldiversity.org/index.html]
  23. Wilson, D. E., and S. Ruff. 1999. The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 750 pp.
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