Keeping a Stiff Upper Lip
A North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) has been calling one specific Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) home this winter in the woods of Distant Hill Gardens in Walople, New Hampshire.
This porcupine looks like it has an abscess on its upper lip. Could the abscess be caused from being stuck with one of its own quills? Possibly, but porcupine quills contain antibiotic properties that help prevent such infections.
It is thought that the quills developed this ability in oder to protect the porcupine if it inadvertantly sticks itself with its own quills.
This can occur if they fall out of trees when feeding, which they do fairly often. They are tempted by the tender buds and twigs at the ends of branches, and these branches are not strong enough to support the porcupine.
One study found that over 35% of porcupine skeletons showed signs of broken bones, likely from falling from trees.
Keeping a Stiff Upper Lip
A North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) has been calling one specific Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) home this winter in the woods of Distant Hill Gardens in Walople, New Hampshire.
This porcupine looks like it has an abscess on its upper lip. Could the abscess be caused from being stuck with one of its own quills? Possibly, but porcupine quills contain antibiotic properties that help prevent such infections.
It is thought that the quills developed this ability in oder to protect the porcupine if it inadvertantly sticks itself with its own quills.
This can occur if they fall out of trees when feeding, which they do fairly often. They are tempted by the tender buds and twigs at the ends of branches, and these branches are not strong enough to support the porcupine.
One study found that over 35% of porcupine skeletons showed signs of broken bones, likely from falling from trees.