ChM CM987 - Porcupine Skull

3D Model

ChM CM987 - Erethizon dorsatum

The porcupine is the second largest rodent in North America (second to the beaver). Porcupines eat various types of vegetation including roots, berries, seeds, plant stems, etc. During the winter, their diet focuses on pine cones and tree bark. Porcupines are best known for their quills, which are modified hairs which provide a defense against predators.

Click here for the mandible for CM987.

This scan was collected as part of a student project at The Charleston Museum in association with the Business Innovation Lab at The Citadel.