Porcupines on the Move
11/11/05

Porcupines seem to be on the increase. According to “The Mammals of Texas” their habitat has expanded southward in recent years. The staff of DSAH is willing to bet their numbers are increasing in this area as well. We’ve seen the painful results of their defensive tactics quite regularly.

Dogs will attach the porcupines and receive from just a few to hundreds of quills in the muzzle, nose, lips, face, eyes, and forelimbs and out of site on the inside of the mouth and throat as well. The quills are mostly hollow and are white with the business end being dark brown to black. They are barbed and quite difficult and painful to remove. Left untreated many animals will be unable to eat and drink and will slowly succumb to infection and dehydration. We recommend all animals be anesthetized for removal as soon as possible and given antibiotics afterwards.

These prickly rodents are known to occupy most of west Texas, Travis and Hays counties being on the eastern edge of their currently recognized range in Texas. They are herbivores dining largely on the inner bark of trees and shrubs but also enjoy ground vegetation in the spring and summer. Their breeding season peaks in September and October when they range the furthest in search of mates. However, we have treated dogs for porcupine encounters at all times of the year. One or rarely two young are born 7 months later in April and May.

Porcupines can live to 10 years and are adapted to a variety of habitats. They prefer rocky, forested areas and will repeatedly occupy the same rocky dens year after year. They are largely nocturnal though daytime encounters do occur. They readily climb trees though their movements are slow and methodical making them seemingly easy targets. We’ve had the same hapless dogs come in several times with quills, apparently unable to resist the temptation. Some animals just can’t seem to get enough of a bad thing.