The Stone Zoo in Massachusetts recently welcomed a porcupette to its family an just in time for World Porcupine Day on July 2.
Born to mom, Prickles and dad, Shadow, the baby weighed just a little over one-pound when it was born on June 27 – the zoo announced its birth on Wednesday.
According to the zoo, the baby porcupine appeared ‘healthy and alert’ during its first medical exam two days after its birth.
Zookeepers believe the new arrival, which has yet to be named, is male, but the caretakers have yet to determine the porcupette’s sex officially.
Pete Costello, an assistant curator at Stone Zoo, said in a statement: ‘Prickles and her new baby are doing great.
‘The baby is gaining weight at a healthy pace and adapting well.
‘The staff weighs the porcupette every morning, despite the challenge of getting the little ball of quills on the scale!’
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The Stone Zoo in Massachusetts recently welcomed a porcupette to its family an just in time for World Porcupine Day on July 2
The name rights of the porcupette will be auctioned off on July 23 at the zoo.
The baby is the third to be born to Prickles, 9, and Shadow, 10 – this type of porcupine lives for 12 to 17 years.
The baby and its parents are prehensile-tailed porcupines, which are born with soft quills that harden as they grow.
This animal is also nocturnal and spends most of the day resting, and they are also excellent tree climbers.
Zookeepers believe the new arrival, which has yet to be named, is male, but the caretakers have yet to determine the porcupette’s sex officially
Born to mom, Prickles and dad, Shadow, the baby weighed just a little over one-pound when it was born on June 27 – the zoo announced its birth on Wednesday
They used their tails like a fifth limb to grab branches as they move through trees.
The Franklin Zoo, which is a sister location to the Stone Zoo, recently welcomed 15 new prairie dog pups.
Zookeepers say the baby is healthy and alert
The zoo made the announcement in May, when the pups first peaked out of the burrows, but they are said to have been born in March.
Pups are born blind and hairless, and do not make an appearance outside of the burrow until they are about six weeks old. The pups can now be seen exploring the prairie dog habitat alongside the adults. Both male and female prairie dogs help raise the young.
Dr Malu Celli, Vice President of Animal Care at Zoo New England, said in a statement: ‘Prairie dogs are highly social animals and it will be fascinating for our guests to watch the pups grow up.
‘A sure sign that spring has officially arrived is when we begin to spot the tiny pups emerging from their burrows. The first pup was seen on May 1, and the care team has been closely monitoring the pups since they’ve emerged from their underground home.’
The Franklin Zoo, which is a sister location to the Stone Zoo, recently welcomed 15 new prairie dog pups. The zoo made the announcement in May, when the pups first peaked out of the burrows, but they are said to have been born in March
Because the pups are born underground, the care team only knew of seven that were born, but as time went on, eight more ventured out of the burrow.
John Linehan, Zoo New England president and CEO, in the statement: ‘Now that the pups have emerged from their burrows, the prairie dog exhibit is a flurry of activity.
‘It’s hard not to be amazed by these incredible little creatures as they scurry about and explore. Prairie dogs are highly social animals and it will be fascinating for our guests to watch the pups grow up.’
