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North American Porcupine

North American Porcupine line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

North American Porcupine full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The North American Porcupine was completed on 2.12.10. While driving across Utah with my brother, we were lucky enough to spot one of these animals crossing the road. I didn't realize how big they were! We watched him lumber into the forest on the other side. I felt fortunate to have seen one in the wild. The drawing is based on a photo by Gene Blackman.

Information about the North American Porcupine:

The North American Porcupine - also called the Canadian or Common Porcupine - is a large rodent found in the coniferous, deciduous and mixed forest of the northern and western parts of North America. The are the second largest rodent on the continent with only the beaver being larger. These animals are slow moving and have poor eyesight. Their bodies are covered with thousands of sharp, barbed hollow quills used for defense. Despite popular myths porcupines cannot and do not shoot these spines but they can become dislodged easily. It will also swing it's spiky tail toward perceived threats. They are mostly nocturnal, choosing to sleep much of the day. They are herbivores feeding mainly on twigs, roots, berries and other vegetation.