People Think I Am Obsessed with Porcupines

I don't know if obsessed is the right word. I have always found them interesting, but when the protagonist of your books is a porcupine, you learn as much as you can about them. Every Friday, I post something about porcupines: fun facts, craft ideas, and even recipes. This is not just for my readers; it keeps me accountable to know all I can know about porcupines.

Here are some of the fun facts I've shared so far:

1. Porcupines have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell, which helps them find food and detect predators.

2. The North American porcupine is the second largest rodent in North America. Adults weigh around 20 pounds and are 2 to 3 feet long.

3. The word "porcupine" means "thorn pig," which is a fitting description given their quilled appearance.

4. The smallest porcupine is the Bahia hairy dwarf porcupine. It grows up to 15 inches long.

5. There are two classifications of porcupines: Old World and New World. (Look for my previous blog post about what that means).

6. Porcupines can climb trees. They use their strong claws and the rough skin on their feet to climb trees, where they often feed and find shelter.

7. Porcupines are good swimmers. Their air-filled quills serve like a life jacket that keeps them a float.