Porcupine

Although they’re fairly common in Northern Arizona, porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) are elusive. Because they’re nocturnal, they spend their days resting in treetops, small caves or piles of fallen timber, then scrounge for grass, berries, leaves, roots and conifer needles when they wake up. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines — North America’s second-largest rodents, behind beavers — don’t “shoot” their quills. Rather, their protective coverings are loosely attached and will easily dislodge when they come into contact with a presumed predator. This porcupine was photographed near Willow Lake, in the Prescott area.