The thorny pig

A slow-moving rounded form that crossed Route 97 last week near Narrowsburg, NY proved to be a young porcupine. Grabbing the camera, I was able to get quite close to the bumbling creature, whose main defense is the blanket of quills that covers its dark brown body.

Author Paul Rezendes notes in “Tracking and the Art of Seeing,” that the porcupine’s name derives from the Latin “porcus,” meaning “pig,” and “spina” meaning “thorns.” The common woodland creature may bear 30,000 quills featuring microscopic barbs that cause the quill to continue moving into the flesh of the hapless animal that attempts to bite a porcupine. Native Americans used the attractive quills to decorate pouches and clothing.

Porcupines don’t move fast or far. Nor do they attack, but may attempt to slap potential predators with their quill-studded tails. They are typically seen waddling along roadways or resting in treetops.

Favorite foods are bark and foliage, particularly that of conifers, as well as white oak acorns. They will also consume maple buds by nipping off branches, eating the buds and dropping the stripped twig on the ground. Such “nip twigs” will accumulate below trees and are a sure sign of the presence of porcupines.

Characterized by short legs and a plump body, their urine has a distinct odor similar to pine or turpentine. Favored den sites are usually found in rock ledges with crevices, though they will also den in hollow logs or trees.

Special thanks to the readers who guessed the mystery creature whose dwelling and activities were depicted in the River Talk column, “Who goes there?” which appeared in the April 3 issue of The River Reporter. The correct answer was the pileated woodpecker.