American Porcupine

This cute little girl came to the Center on May 7th from Kennebunkport, ME where she was found on a porch after wandering around the yard for over a day. There was no sign of her mother and it is assumed that she may have been injured herself, possibly by a car on the road nearby. Her cries became more urgent and a decision was made to take her in, as her size indicated that she was very young and still needed to nurse several times a day. Too small to make it on her own, cold, hungry and covered with ticks, she didn't have much of chance without some help.

After being brought to the Center, it took some time to get her healthy and adjusted. She is now beginning to eat very well and enjoys cuddling with a stuffed animal that is placed in her cage to keep her company. Although she looks cuddly herself, her baby quills are very sharp, so she is handled very carefully to avoid injury to her or the staff. Once she is old enough to eat her normal "adult" diet of roots, acorns, bugs and fruit, she will be placed in an outdoor enclosure so she acclimate to being outside again. This is another step in the process of becoming wild so she can fend for herself when she is eventually released in a suitable location. The future is brighter for this little creature and she seems to have the will and independence to thrive in the wild.


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