North American Porcupine

Erethizon dorsatum

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAFJ01010
Common Name: 
North American Porcupine
Scientific Name: 
Erethizon dorsatum
Synonyms: 
Erethizon dorsata
Naming References: 
R169
R283
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Rodentia
Family: 
Erethizontidae
References: 
R169
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

1.5 years
References: 
B112

Longevity

7 to 10 years
References: 
B112

Economic/Human Considerations

Cause damage to trees and cottages .
References: 
B001
Habitat
Deciduous and coniferous forested regions.
References: 
B001
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B112

Distribution

70% of the NWT
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B112

Number of Occurrences

Probably more than 100.
Score: 
E = >
References: 
H126

Area of Occupancy

Stable?
Score: 
-
Population

Population Size

A few thousands?
Score: 
EF =
References: 
H126

Density

6 to 8 per sq. mile
Threats

Threats

Human persecution, predation, highway collision, tree falls.
Score: 
C = M
References: 
B001
B112

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
B001
B112
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
Lack of information on numbers, population trends.
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by S. Carriere. Reviewed in 2004, no changes in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 16, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Longevity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Naming

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return
  • Bradley, Robert, D., Loren K. Ammerman, Robert J. Baker, Lisa C. Bradley, Joseph A. Cook, Robert C. Dowler, Clyde Jones, David J. Schmidly, Frederick B. Stangl, Jr., Ronald A. Van Den Bussche, and Bernd Würsig (2014) Natural Science Research Laboratory, Occasional Papers 327 28 pp. http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/publications/opapers/ops/OP327.pdf - R283 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Population Size

Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Range Extent

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Taxonomy

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return

Threats

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return