Notes from Alaska

[sholio]

Setting the scene: it's still light all night. Most of my writing happens in our upstairs guest bedroom, which has an opening window with a ladder underneath (for a fire escape). I like to open the window and just kind of hang out of it to get a little fresh air, and I was doing this tonight when I looked straight down the ladder and realized there was, at the bottom of it, one of the biggest porcupines I've ever seen, quietly grazing on the lawn and apparently oblivious to me.

It made me realize that, while I've seen porcupines a number of times when I was out and about in the woods, I usually - before this year - had dogs with me, which means I've very rarely seen a porcupine that is relaxed and not alarmed. I'm not sure if I had realized that a calm porcupine is not at all prickly-looking; it's covered in long, coarse dark fur and actually looks a lot like a beaver. (Turns out - I looked it up afterwards - porcupines are about the size of beavers, or they can be. They're the second-largest North American rodent. I didn't realize that.)

Anyway, because it was smooth and round and dark, I wasn't sure what it was at first, a wolverine or something, until it moved and I saw the quills on its tail - they raise their tails a little when they walk, to keep them from dragging, and the quills are visible at the edges. Then I just watched it meander across the yard, nibbling on grass, until it was out of sight. It was a very calm and nice wildlife encounter, as these things go.

I have also now learned that baby porcupines are called porcupettes and I'm glad I know this.

Edit: Added some photos!

They're not great because I was zoomed in while it was moving, but you can kinda see what I mean about how they don't look particularly spiky when they aren't alarmed. Also, this is how light it is at about 1 a.m.

Comments

[trobadora]

Such a great encounter, thank you for sharing!

And awwwww! Porcupettes, that's so cute! :D

[sholio]

It was really a delightful experience!

[lunabee34]

Porcupettes! I am thrilled to know this also.

[mecurtin]

That is so cool! The variety of wildlife you have up there is astounding to me, even though we have more than most people expect here in semi-rural NJ.

I was once in Reykjavik in late June. We went to the airport in the middle of the night, and the light had that same eerie twilight quality.

[stultiloquentia]

Ah, that's so neat!

The science museum in Sudbury, ON used to have a tame porcupine named Ralph whom vistors could pet. They're actually quite soft!

[xparrot]

Porcupettes!? That's too cute, I protest!

Also aw wow, so cool! I don't think I've ever seen a porcupine live in the wild (one or two as roadkill...) Just a big groundhog with extra spikes!

[pauraque]

Aw, porcupines are neat. It's cool that you got to see one just going about its business.

[anna_wing]

How charming! 'Porcupettes' too, what a delightful new thing to learn today.

[ratcreature]

I once saw a porcupine on a US vacation. It just walked across the hiking trail some 50m or so ahead, and it took me a moment to realize what it was. It was larger than I thought.

[silverflight8]

Aw, it just looks fuzzy!

[leesa_perrie]

Aww, cute!! Well, I mean cute when not armed and dangerous, lol!! :)

And I keep forgetting the babies are called porcupettes, so thank you for reminding me again! That is such a cute name, like baby hedgehogs being called hoglets!

[sholio]

HOGLETS!! I love that.

[sheron]

>porcupettes

Hee!

[ellenmillion]

Another animal that looks like it wants to be hugged but really doesn't.

Thanks for sharing these!

[aelfgyfu_mead]

Aw!

I know you have light almost all night this time of year, but seeing it is different! Maybe someday I'll make it up there.

[booksarelife]

That is so cool and thank you for the photos!!

[gwyn]

SO CUTE

[sartorias]

The cuteness!

[rachelmanija]

PORCUPETTES.

[sovay]

I have also now learned that baby porcupines are called porcupettes and I'm glad I know this.

I don't think I knew that and I am very happy to. What a nice-looking visitor you had.

[arianna]

Oh, this is very cool information! I didn't know the quills weren't always bristling, either. Thanks for sharing the info and the photos!

[timespirt]

That is so cool.

[cornerofmadness]

aww how cute

[chelseagirl]

Joining the chorus of joy at porcupettes.

[oracne]

SO CUTE.