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Erethizon dorsatum
Class
MammaliaOrder
rodentiaFamily
erethizontidaeGenus
erethizonThe North American Porcupine is a large rodent covered in a coat of about 30,000 dark brown quills. As solitary species, they often search for plants to eat alone. Their diet consists of nitrogen or fiber dense plants and they are highly selective. While their quills provide extensive defense, they still fall prey to mountain lions and fishers.
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