PORCUPINE

The Porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum, is a large rodent with distinct barbed quills on its back, side and tail. They only exist in the far western extremes of the south Texas region near Del Rio, Texas. They are expert at climbing trees, although their movements are slow and awkward. They are at home in rocky country. In the summer, herbaceous ground vegetation makes up their diet while in the fall and winter tree gathered food such as mistletoe and the inner bark of trees makes up the diet. They have been known to live as long as 10 years under natural conditions.

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