Porcupine Fun for Kids

Porcupines are cute, prickly animals that live in forests and grasslands. They have long quills on their backs that help protect them from danger. You might see one climbing a tree or munching on tasty plants!

Watch a Porcupine in Action!

See how a curious porcupine uses its quills and climbs to eat corn.

What Is a Porcupine?

• A rodent with sharp quills on its back
• Covered in soft fur underneath the quills
• Has a round body and a small face
• Moves slowly and carefully

Where Do Porcupines Live?

• Found in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa
• Live in forests, woodlands, and sometimes grasslands
• Often found in trees or near rocky places

What Do Porcupines Eat?

• Leaves, twigs, and bark from trees
• Fruits and berries
• Corn, pumpkins, and garden plants

How Big Is a Porcupine?

• About as long as a small child: 60–90 cm (2–3 feet)
• Weighs about as much as a small dog: 5–14 kg (12–30 lb)

What Sound Do Porcupines Make?

Porcupines make soft squeaks, grunts, and sometimes chattering sounds when they feel scared or excited.

Cool Porcupine Facts

• Porcupette is the name for a baby porcupine.
• Baby porcupettes are born with soft quills that harden in an hour.
• They can’t shoot quills—quills fall off when touched.
• Porcupines can climb trees using their strong claws.
• Their quills have tiny barbs that make them hard to pull out.
• They can chatter their teeth to warn enemies.
• Porcupines are mostly active at night.
• They can live up to 15 years in the wild.

Printables and Coloring Fun

Ready to get creative with porcupines?

• Download Porcupine Coloring Page (PDF)

Porcupines in the Eco-System

• Porcupines help spread seeds when they eat fruit.
• They chew bark and twigs, which helps shape forests.
• There are about 20 species of porcupines worldwide.
• Some porcupine species are near threatened because of habitat loss.

Ask a Grown-Up to Help You Learn More

• Native Animal Profile: North American Porcupine
• North American porcupine
• NatGeo Kids: Porcupine

Fun Questions About Porcupines

Ways to Donate and Support Porcupines

You can help protect porcupines and their homes. Some groups work to save forests and teach people how to live safely with wildlife.

Critter Care Wildlife Society