Featured Animal: Porcupine

Porcupine FACTS: 

•  Porcupines are mammals & the second largest rodent in North America
• They live in  woodlands, brushy areas and thickets, usually near water.
• They gnaw continually on items such as wood and bone because their teeth are always growing and this keeps them sharp.
• They do not "shoot" their quills at attackers, but some lose quills may fly when they defend themselves.
• For more information on this animal, please visit  Porcupine on the web.

Baby 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.

The Center tries to give much needed care but still allow the animals to be wild, with the intention of letting them go when they are ready to care for themselves. Too much "love" can result in a baby animal imprinting on the humans caring for it and that makes it difficult to release. If you find an animal that seems to be in need, keep an eye on it for while before you decide to take it in. Sometimes, Mom is right around the corner and will retrieve a baby in a short while. If you do decide to intervene, call the Center and get instructions on how to properly handle the animal or call the Animal Control officer in your town.