If you live in a forested area shown gray on the map below, chances are you’ll encounter a porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) some day. In Pennsylvania you have an even better chance to see one in the summer because young porcupines, born in May or June, stay with their mothers until they’re six months old.
If you see a baby porcupine, what do you call it?
Find the answer and amazing facts about porcupine social behavior in this vintage article: I’m a Porcupette
(photos from Wikimedia Commons; click on the captions to see the originals)
Good morning. I really enjoy your blog. Thanks for all the good news and smiles.
I have a request: Spotted skunks. I recently learned that the are aboral. With every range extending northward are we seeing any in our area?
Spotted skunks are uncommon in Pennsylvania and, as of the 1980s, were only found in Bedford, Fulton, and Franklin counties and the edges of bordering counties. I don’t know if their range is expanding in PA. They are declining in the upper Midwest. More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_spotted_skunk
I googled to make sure my memory was right but I did know the name. You gotta believe me. They are known as a Porcupet.
I learned it years ago when I stumbled upon this cute video of one…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYC0IYuOYLw
Yes, the name is amazing. Don’t forget to check out the link at the end of the blog. It goes to another post entitled “I’m a Porcupette” also linked here https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2013/06/19/im-a-porcupette/