Prickly Neighbor – The Rocky Mountain Goat. This North American porcupine ate a few buds from a small branch, grabbing the leaves and buds with its paws to bring them closer for a bite. Being herbivores, porcupines usually eat things like bark, buds, and leaves and twigs of other plants; but they are also known to gnaw on salty objects and can cause damage to tires, tools, wooden buildings and can also damage corn or alfalfa. Only the North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is found in Canada, in continental forests and thickets. These mammals have more than 30,000 feathers, which are actually modified hairs, and are the second largest rodent in Canada (after the beaver). It is a misconception that the porcupine can shoot its feathers at predators, but they easily come off when touched. They deploy them by spinning tail. New feathers begin to develop within a few days. Many animals recoil from a porcupine attack with feathers sticking out of their snouts or bodies. Be careful when walking your dog in wooded areas and if your dog is entangled in feathers, immediate treatment of the injury is recommended as it can lead to serious complications. /SANDRA JAMES
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