Where to Nap?

tanjabrittonwriter 48 Comments

…during the day is a dilemma each porcupine faces after a nighttime of activity. As an herbivorous, nocturnal rodent who stuffs her tummy with roots, stems, twigs, bark, leaves, buds, flowers, seeds, or nuts of various plants in darkness, when the solar orb rises above the horizon in the morning it’s time to find a comfy spot to snooze away the light-filled hours.

But sometimes said snoozing spot leaves something to be desired, something undefinable, unnamable, and unfathomable, so the decision has to be made to interrupt one’s rest, stretch one’s legs, climb backward down one trunk of the chosen slumbering tree, and up another, to a more alluring place that will provide respite for the next several hours. Until it’s time to climb out of the tree for good, or find yet another napping nook.

Time to climb down

One backward step after the other

Until I reach the fork in the tree

Ta-da!

But now I need to climb up again

And up

Until I find this nice niche, not unlike a hammock. Time to go back to sleep.

The North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) has not always been thought to belong to the large family of rodents. The common name porcupine is derived from the Latin porcus for pig, and spinus, meaning thorn or quill, hence the names quill pig in English, Stachelschwein in German, and porc-épic in French. Before I knew about the Latin-derived origin of the name porcupine, I had a somewhat embarrassing encounter when I inadvertently used “quill pig” in a conversation with someone not familiar with the term.

The quills are the reason we shouldn’t attempt to cuddle with a porcupine, its overwhelming cuddliness appeal notwithstanding. While the animal is covered in soft hair and its nose and belly are velveteen and supple, its backs, sides, and tail are covered with sharp quills. Contrary to popular belief, these quills cannot be shot at potential predators, but they do detach easily when touched, to the detriment of the toucher. (This is an experience our poor dog Teddy once had to live through, much to the chagrin of our dog-sitter at the time, and the poor vet who had to treat him, as veterinary clinics always brought out the worst in him.)

I never tire of watching these adorable critters. Luckily, one of my favorite birding destinations also has a healthy population of porcupines, and I typically see at least one each time I visit, and often several. If you would like to spend more virtual time at the wonder-filled Chico Basin Ranch, here is a link to all my previous posts.

PS: Photos taken at Chico Basin Ranch on 5/17/2023.

48 thoughts on “Where to Nap?”

  2. Your early reference to a porcupine as a rodent startled me. I knew it’s not any kind of pork, i.e. pig, but a rodent? Later I got to your elucidation: “The North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) has not always been thought to belong to the large family of rodents.” Do you know when the categorization as a rodent happened?

    I imagine your reference to a “quill pig” would baffle many people.

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    • I learned that most Old World porcupines are terrestrial (with one exception), and most New World relatives are arboreal, though the species featured here spends quite some time on the ground also. I mostly see them in trees, but that’s no surprise, as that is where they typically sleep during the day.

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      • Now I’m really going to demonstrate my ignorance…I was, until reading your comments just now, totally unaware of Old World porcupines. I assumed they were confined to the New World, although on reflection that probably makes little sense given the land bridge that once existed between Asia & North America. Fascinating stuff!

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      • It really is fascinating and I don’t think I knew about all the different species before doing a little more research about them. I don’t recall ever seeing a porcupine in Europe, unless it was in a zoo. I should have gone into a little more detail about the different kinds of porcupines in my blog post. Maybe I will do so in a future post.

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  7. I’ve never seen a porcupine, but a friend’s daughter found one napping on her front porch last week. They live in the country, and see the creatures from time to time, but I’ve never been around when one showed up. I was just as glad to have been absent when their dog got too close to one. Quill-pulling isn’t my idea of a good time.

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    • Thank you, Laurie. I’m always astounded at how soft it manages to look. And if I could convince one that I mean no harm and get close enough to rub its nose or belly, I don’t think I would have to change my opinion. 😊

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  10. The porcupine does look awfully cuddly, but yeah, don’t think I would want to go there. This was a delightful post and a fun read. It looks like it found a fairly cozy spot to rest for the day.

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    • Thank you, Tina, I’m glad you enjoyed the porky post and photos. I often think that their sleeping spots in the trees don’t look too comfortable, but they must be by porcupine criteria. One of those is “must not be afraid of heights!”

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  11. Der Gesichtsausdruck des Stachelschweins mit seinen abstehenden Haaren, wie es zwischen der Baumstammgabelung steht, ist ganz drollig. Es schaut auch gar nicht so sehr stachelig aus, sondern puschelig, aber das gilt wahrcheinlich nur für die Bauchseite.
    Vielen Dank, liebe Tanja, für die Ansichtsvermittlung eines besonderen Tierwesens.
    Hier in Deutschand haben wir Igel, aber die klettern nicht auf Schlafbäume, sondern eher ins Unterholz.
    Herzlich grüßt Dich
    Ulrike

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    • Ich danke dir, liebe Ulrike. Ich finde diese Tiere auch sehr drolling und liebenswert und bedaure es sehr, wahrscheinlich nie eins streicheln zu können. Das Bewundern aus der Ferne muß also genügen.

      Ich kenne einige Menschen in Deutschland, die sich um Igel kümmern, oder sie in ihren wilden Gärten willkommen heißen. In Amerika gibt es nur importierte Igel, und einige sind wohl verwildert, aber sie kamen vor ihrer Einführung nicht natürlich vor.

      Dir ein angenehmes Wochenende.
      Tanja

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      • Deinen Streichelimpuls kann ich sehr gut verstehen, aber von solch langen Stacheln läßt man sich wohl besser nicht verletzen.
        einen Igel habe ich allerdings schon am Bäuchlein gestreichelt. Mein Vater hat einst einen Igel von einer vielbefahrenen Straße gerettet, und wir haben ihn einige Tage bei uns beherbergt, bis wir ihn am Waldrand wieder freiließen. Er wurde schnell zutraulich und ließ sich von meiner kleinen Kinderhand streicheln.
        In der Nachbarstadt Wuppertal gibt es eine Igelrettungstation, wo man geschwächte, verwaiste oder verletzte Igel zur fachgerechten Pflege abgeben kann: https://www.netzwerk-igel-wuppertal.de/
        Herzlich grüßt
        Ulrike

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      • Das ist eine schöne Erinnerung für dich, liebe Ulrike. Hoffentlich hat das Igelein überlebt.
        Ich finde es erfreulich, wie viele Menschen sich für Igel engagieren, sowohl in ihrem eigenen Garten als auch in Organisationen wie der in Wuppertal.
        Ich wünsche dir eine gute Woche.
        Tanja

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    • I have never felt threatened by a porcupine and imagine that it would only use its quills against me if I inadvertently stepped on one, or acted in an aggressive way. I have seen a few on the ground during the day, but most sleep high in trees, away from the hubbub.

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  14. Wie niedlich und dieser Blick unter all dem Haar, lach! Herrliche Fotos und wirklich ein sehr drolliges Tier. Dein armer Hund, daß war bestimmt ein heftiges Erlebnis damals. LG Almuth

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    • Dankeschön, liebe Almuth.
      Süß, gell. Es sei denn, man macht Bekanntschaft mit den Stacheln. Unser Hund war sicherlich weniger erfreut, aber wenn er die Gelegenheit gehabt hätte, hätte er sich sicherlich wieder einige Stacheln zugezogen. Irgendwie komisch, daß die Hunde sich an so etwas nicht erinnern (ebenso wenig wie an Stinktiere, was zwar nicht so weh tut, aber für das Umfeld sehr unangehm ist).
      Ich wünsche dir eine gute Woche.
      Tanja

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  16. What a wonderful animal to encounter! Terrific photographs!

    Don’t worry about the language issue when describing a porcupine. Your listener will get the point(s).

    Thank goodness we don’t have to worry about such dangerous creatures here in our Florida swamp.

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    • Thank you, Wally, it was a fun encounter. And the momentary memory lapse about the common name for the quill pig has resulted in much hilarity whenever we recall the occasion.
      I will take an encounter with a porcupine any day to those possible in your neck of the woods!

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