When you think of a porcupine, what adjectives come to mind? Most people think of words like ‘prickly’ and ‘spiny,’ but did you know that porcupines can be fluffy, too?
True story! Zookeepers and wildlife experts may get to see wild animals like porcupines in all stages of life, but many of us have never seen a baby porcupine. Thanks to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, California, though, that changes today!
In an adorable behind-the-scenes TikTok video posted on June 9, zookeepers show off a baby prehensile-tailed porcupine, who just became the zoo’s youngest animal ambassador. They don’t look very much like an adult of their species, but they are oh-so-cute.
@fresnochaffeezoo Have you ever seen a baby prehensile-tailed porcupine? We’re so excited to announce another exciting birth from our Animal Ambassador program. 🥰 😍 #babyporcupine #cute #babyanimals #zoo #fresnochaffeezoo #zootok #fyp #pokybaby
Look at them! That golden fluff looks so soft and light, but this zookeeper’s gloves tell me all I need to know. There are tiny spines hiding under that fur!
This may go against everything you thought you knew about porcupines, but like many animals, they don’t develop some of their defining features until adolescence or adulthood. The light fur sheds as the spines grow in, and fluffy babies turn into prickly adults.
Related: National Park Service Shares Joyful Video of Baby Porcupine ‘Playing Air Guitar’
That’s just the circle of life! Young porcupines like this curly-tailed baby don’t stay soft and fluffy for very long, but thanks to the Fresno Zoo’s behind-the-scenes look at the little one, we’ll always be able to look back and see just how cute this newborn stage is.
Besides that thin, golden fur, this unique baby animal also has a long, prehensile tail. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who learned something new today.
Prehensile Tail Porcupines
“Porcupines have tails?” asked a commenter named Rory. “My entire life has changed.” I know what you mean! Many porcupine species don’t have long, usable tails like this South American variety, but those that do use them like a fifth limb.
With their prehensile tails, these porcupines can hold onto food, other porcupines, or tree branches while they move and sleep. Besides their quills and whiskers, which help them find food in the dark, their tails are their most essential feature!
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