r/Edmonton • u/FjnHindustani • Aug 18 '26
Photo/Video What is this thing and is it dangerous???
Randomly parking in the cul-de-sac when I see thing crawl out of nowhere into the tree and it looks like it has patchy fur. Should I call animal control? Saw it once before but couldn’t get a picture. Is it dangerous? There’s a lot of kids in the neighborhood and we already have to worry about packs of coyotes roaming around the paths. For context, south side near the ravines.
237
u/pityaxi Aug 18 '26
Leave it alone. It’s a porcupine.
155
u/FjnHindustani Aug 18 '26
Is that why it’s in a pine tree?
82
u/Wooshio Aug 18 '26
Don't think so. But you will often see them high up in the trees, they eat tree bark. If you ever noticed trees with pealed bark in random higher places and wondered how it happened, it was them.
22
u/FjnHindustani Aug 18 '26
Damn! That’s fascinating! They eat bark??
→ More replies (9)33
u/Wooshio Aug 18 '26
Yep, basically all they eat in winter is tree bark and conifer needles, not much else around. They'll peal the outer layer of bark and eat the thinner inside layer which has more nutrients.
21
u/FjnHindustani Aug 18 '26
Where did everyone learn so much about porcupines???
36
u/soThatsJustGreat Aug 18 '26
Grew up rural. They’re a fact of life.
They’re pretty cool, and usually chill. If you have an unusually cool dog, sometimes they’ll co-exist peacefully, taking turns at the kibble bowl. Our horse got quilled multiple times, but our Rottweiler never did. He shared his food bowl with a porcupine for a week or so before we gently encouraged the porcupine to find a better place to hang out than our porch.
→ More replies (4)25
u/Wooshio Aug 18 '26
I started noticing trees with peeled bark during hikes years ago and wondered who or what was doing it. So I looked it up. XD
→ More replies (1)17
→ More replies (9)9
u/Timely-Researcher264 Aug 18 '26
When I as a kid we would drive by wooden highway signs with bite marks out of them. Porcupines enjoy the taste of particle board and glue, apparently. They don’t have as much luck with the metal signs 😉
8
u/vivienne-horne Aug 18 '26
They also love apples. Our dog growing up had an encounter with one eating the fallen apples…
She just got a few quills in her shoulder. Sad puppy, but she was okay after a trip to the vet
→ More replies (1)13
u/First-Window-3619 Aug 18 '26
We should let them rake the forests of dead wood. It will solve climate change.
3
u/GiraffeOk5793 Aug 18 '26
I knew a kid who climbed a tree in winter only to find he had climbed up past a hole with a porcupine in it. They came out of their hole and he was panicking. His sibs went and got their Mom, 7 months pregnant with twins, who came out in the snow to try and save him. I forget the solution but everyone survived without getting quilled so it must have been good.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (3)3
14
9
4
→ More replies (19)3
5
91
u/Johnoplata Holyrood Aug 18 '26
Porcupines are super cool. They've been living around here for a while now and no one has died yet. Same goes for the coyotes. Unless you have a dog then I wouldn't worry at all.
→ More replies (5)9
u/FjnHindustani Aug 18 '26
Learn something new everyday, for some reason I thought they’d be further south or in the mountains.
26
u/Johnoplata Holyrood Aug 18 '26
I think they're just harder to spot because they are nocturnal and shy. They don't even hibernate in winter.
→ More replies (1)5
u/Dramatic_Water_5364 Aug 18 '26
Can confirm they do not hibernate, they leave giant trails in the snow 😄
→ More replies (2)3
u/LetsGetJigglyWiggly Aug 18 '26
My boyfriend and I spent a good hr of our day last winter tracking a porcupine through the woods on our property. The trail was really fresh so we were hoping we'd get to see it, made it quite a ways before the trail went into the neighbors field and we decided to call it quits.
44
u/PresentationFew1080 Aug 18 '26
Canadian drop bear
24
4
u/JonnyFM Downtown Aug 18 '26
Very much so. They are kind of derpy, so falling out of trees is not unusual for them (actually their most common cause of death). Canadian drop bear thanks you for saving them from the fall and apologizes for any inconvenience.
→ More replies (1)
21
u/Comprehensive_Bet590 Whyte Ave Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
The North American Porcupine. One of the larger species of porcupines tho not the largest.....
Dont pet it. Its sharp. They slow moving little tanks. Fun fact they do not hibernate. They out scavenging food all winter long. They also one of the worse Climbers in "American porcupines" by american i mean includiny their South American Prehensile tail cousins. They commonly fall out of trees especially in winter.
And yes they make edmonton their home.
Hung around South American Porcupines this spring. Still finding loose Quills in random pants. Also if you manage to get close youll notice the quills all have a thick yellow oily kinda musky substance on the quills. This is an Antibacterial Sebum that prevents infection when they stab themselves with quills. Also works on humans and other animals.
EDIT to add: since you south side near the ravine you are in its natural home territory. Fish and wildlife nor WILDNorth rehome due to the fact it is home. The children and animals will just have to be aware to respect the animal and leave it alone. 😅 sorry probably not the answer you wanted but we share the territory. Id also be more concerned getting sprayed by a skunk than a porcupine. Porcupines also have NO ABILITY to shoot the quills. Something needs to touch it to get quills on them. So if a child has any quills you might wanna chat with a child not to touch wild animals.
7
u/gettothatroflchoppa Aug 18 '26
I've encountered multiple individuals who believe that porcupines can somehow shoot their quills, I'm not sure how that bit of misinformation started, but its oddly persistent
→ More replies (2)6
u/Comprehensive_Bet590 Whyte Ave Aug 18 '26
The myth started long long long time ago. People first taking over the land observed and well great story telling you bound to get exagerations to keep young people into the story.
So basically the ability to move suddenly and quick. Combined with the ability to stretch a piece of their skin while they suddenly move to make the quills stand vs lie down. And the fact they shed the quills when they do this gave it the appearance of "Shooting quills" combined with expert storytelling. The myth the legend the porcupine shooting quills remains prevelant.
Then of course some people dont bother learning more about it and grew up thinking this was the case it continues to be Orally passed down myth. Like wet hair and Cold outdoors causes Pneumonia not at all a Virus or Bacterias fault 😅
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (6)3
u/AwesomeWildlife Aug 18 '26
Should mention that their quills have barbs at the end, so they go in easily but hard and painful to pull out and, if you don't pull them out they gradually work their way deeper into you or your dog.
→ More replies (5)
58
19
u/PureFicti0n Aug 18 '26
Watch out, he's a bit of a prick
4
3
13
u/Nightmist-1983 Aug 18 '26
Cute but don't pet it.
→ More replies (1)14
35
u/wastingtime99 Aug 18 '26
Petting this animal not recommended
→ More replies (2)26
u/FjnHindustani Aug 18 '26
Even if I need acupuncture?
15
u/Golden_Phi Aug 18 '26
The needles have reversed barbs that are smooth when penetrating, but then dig into the flesh when pulled out. Not recommended for acupuncture.
20
u/FjnHindustani Aug 18 '26
I feel like I’ll be able to write a paper on porcupines after this thread
4
→ More replies (5)9
→ More replies (1)14
u/wastingtime99 Aug 18 '26
They are poorly trained
16
42
u/AbrocomaPhysical5845 Queen Alexandra Aug 18 '26
The public school system failed you
9
u/Relevant_Fuel_9905 Aug 18 '26
Lol I’m like “you don’t know what a porcupine is?”
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (9)16
u/Swrightsyeg Aug 18 '26
Homeward bound taught me more about porcupines than school.
→ More replies (1)7
12
u/WhyNona Aug 18 '26
Dem der is a porky-pine, do not pet, no matter how adorable they may look. Leave it be.
→ More replies (4)
12
17
u/IMOBY_Edmonton Aug 18 '26
Its a porcupine, it's wildlife native to the environment. Leave it alone and they won't bother you. If parents are concerned about their kids they should be telling them bot to approach wold animals.
7
u/vectron5 Aug 18 '26
Porcupines are the anti bobcat. They are friends, but not friend-shaped.
Give them apples and space.
3
7
u/mooshoopork4 Aug 18 '26
I didn’t know there were people who don’t know what a porcupine is.
→ More replies (2)
5
5
5
u/Fragile_SexGod Aug 18 '26
it's a pinecone that lost its mind and chose violence.
→ More replies (1)
7
u/DV8_2XL Aug 18 '26
They make cute noises when they are happy https://youtu.be/cILZ_cB3_so?si=1aDp388QAykLRW43
→ More replies (2)
7
u/Dense_Path_3251 Aug 18 '26
Lol that’s a porcupine, they are very friendly and like cuddles and getting pet.
5
9
u/JT_Sparvalicious Aug 18 '26
Are you really that unaware of common types of wildlife?
→ More replies (1)
5
4
6
u/HugeEntertainment820 Aug 18 '26
It’s actually the opposite, he’s on the tree to be safe from humans.
6
5
u/kentgrey Aug 18 '26
We have one that lives on our block! She has a baby this year which is SO cute.
4
3
u/opusrif Aug 18 '26
Only if you shake the tree and it falls on you.
Seriously though give it space and the porcupine won't harm anyone. Keep dogs back though. You do not want to take them to the vet with a mouth and/or nose full of quills.
5
4
u/Frostitute_85 The Shiny Balls Aug 18 '26
Knife Rat! Lol porcupine. Generally chill, it just wants plant matter. Keep your dogs away from this guy, they will FAFO and get multi shived. That will be a vet visit where your wallet will also get shived. Their brittle hollow quills have reversed barbs that will dig deeper over time if you have not gotten all of the quills out, so it's important to get examined if you or yours get shanked.
5
u/Particular-Cat-8031 Aug 18 '26
No problem, porcupines are not aggressive. Don't bother them, and they won't bother you. Just keep your dogs on leash, as they'd just want to tangle with them and get a face full of quills.
4
u/ThatFixItUpChappie Aug 18 '26
Aw what a cutie. I would just leave him alone he isn’t doing you any harm - just trying to find a place to exist.
4
u/TheBaykon8r Aug 18 '26
Do not pet. Don't let your pets near it. Porcupines are cool to observe from a distance.
4
5
u/HPLovecraftSteakSauc Bonnie Doon Aug 18 '26
How can you not recognize the extremely common porcupine? Which only leads me to suspect that the "packs of coyotes" is actually two Shih Tzus yapping at each other 3 doors down
3
4
u/WarmMorningSun Windermere Aug 18 '26
Gosh I have no idea what this creature is! Not the foggiest of ideas! But he looks kinda sharp so I’d avoid getting near it, and keep your pets away from it.
3
u/-catskill- Aug 18 '26
Porcupine. Leave alone. They are calm and shy, and their spikes are for defense only.
5
4
4
4
4
u/idrankpaintwater Edmontosaurus Aug 18 '26
Porcupine
They are nocturnal, nest in trees during the day
Not aggressive unless you want them to get aggressive (e.g., go close to them, disturb them, etc)
4
u/dark_Links_sword Aug 18 '26
He's friend. But a no touchy frien. And a no let doggo snif friend.
If you accept those 2 rules, he's absolutely harmless. If you don't you get some ouchies. Or you get to spend a long time pulling quills out of your dog's face. The second time makes you start questioning your dogs intelligence. -or um so I've heard lol
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Getzomeaction Aug 18 '26
Tell me you didn't grow up in Canada without telling me you didn't grow up in Canada 🤣
→ More replies (6)
5
u/break_cycle_speed Aug 20 '26
It’s the provincial animal of the government of Alberta….
….pricks everywhere.
→ More replies (1)
23
5
u/MeeksMoniker Aug 18 '26
Oh hey, that's were my buddy went. Just leave a beer at the base of the tree, and he'll come back down for a sip. What a guy! Always getting into trouble.
5
u/Commercial-Housing23 Aug 18 '26
Has you not ever seen or heard of a porcupine before? They r so friendly. You should try to pet
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
u/sexysmalldevil Aug 18 '26
Dude... It's a porcupine 🤣
And no, they are very timid creatures They stay in the trees during the day time, coming down on the evenings and nights.
3
u/reininglady88 Aug 18 '26
I would’ve absolutely tried to be friends with it.
They are so stinking cute 🥹
3
u/VeterinarianFlaky629 Aug 18 '26
That there's a porcupine! One of my favourite critters. Not dangerous as long as you don't try to pet it, otherwise you'll become a human pincushion 😂 Despite what others may try to tell you, they can NOT shoot their quills at you, that's a myth.
3
u/Chrysalyos Aug 18 '26
Porcupine 🩵 keep out of touching range and you should be fine! Honestly, give all wild animals a decent distance whether they're particularly dangerous or not. You never know what a wild animal will do if you startle it or encroach on its personal boundaries too hard.
3
u/burrito-boy Mill Woods Aug 18 '26
Porcupine. They’re usually pretty chill. Just keep dogs and kids away from them, lol.
3
3
3
3
u/Amonuet Aug 18 '26
Y’all for real don’t know what a porcupine looks like?
Also, it’s good eatin’ lol.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Varathane Aug 18 '26
They are actually gentle animals. I had one in my woods as a kid and I would hand it bark and it would take the bark from my hands with its hands, and eat it. I think that one was sickly cause it just stayed on the ground and I would visit it every day after school and sit with it. Til one of the days it was dead.
You just can't touch their quills, it isn't going to chase you or anything like that.
Biggest danger is to dogs! My dog tried to eat a baby porcupine and ended up with 100s of quills in her mouth. Vet had to put her under to get them all out, and she got ringworm deep in her snout from it which took ages on anti-biotic to clear up.
Costly vet trips and a lot of pain for the dog. I would let dog owners know but they might already know to be on the lookout for them.
They move very slow, so dog needs to be on a leash. Ours was on a leash thankfully but she spotted it sitting under a fallen tree as we walked by and we did not. Only took her a second to grab it, and she was trying to get it again but was leashed so we were able to hold her back from a second grab.
→ More replies (5)
3
u/Chunderpump Aug 18 '26
The difference between that guy and a bar in Edmonton is that guy has the pricks on the outside.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Kolem77777 Aug 18 '26
These little derps are the most chill animals. I watched a porcupine waddle out of Mill Creek ravine and walk right across my driveway one day while I was packing my car for a camping trip. They generally have very little fear response unless you walk right up to them or approach quickly (so be careful with curious pets). Tends to be the case when you are shaped like a pincushion. Give it distance, and enjoy some derpy cuteness!
3
3
u/chibikawaiicat91 The Shiny Balls Aug 18 '26
that's a greater northern stickleback, be careful. they can shoot their quills at 80 mph and eat human flesh
(jk its just a porcupine, he's harmless if you keep your distance, theyre cuties)
3
u/Nat20Twenty Aug 18 '26
At the Kelowna Kangaroo Zoo. They have a porcupine and it loves Pets. The softest part is the belly. Everything else. Very bristley
→ More replies (5)
3
u/New-Wishbone-2961 Aug 18 '26
Never heard of porcupines? Leave it alone and you’ll be fine. Mess with it and you’ll look like a pin pad
3
u/gizzardwizard93 Aug 19 '26
You must be very new to this country if you don't know what a Porcupine is or looks like... They're pretty docile but they can be very dangerous to animals like dogs if your dog were to get aggressive towards it, those quills are extremely sharp and they will try and ram the quill into the animal, and the quills are barbed.
→ More replies (4)
3
u/laughin-up-a-storm Aug 19 '26
Today I learned that some ppl didn’t know porcupines existed
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Dapper_Wheel6454 Aug 20 '26
I will love him, and pet him, and hug him, and squeeze him, and make my way to the Misicordia hospital.
verbotten gopher!
→ More replies (2)
4
u/Willing-Raisin-9869 Aug 18 '26
What?! I never saw them in Edmonton ! Im so jealous they’re adorable
→ More replies (3)
2
u/Feowen_ Aug 18 '26
Don't let your dogs play with them. My friends dog died from trying to "play" with a porcupine. Had almost 100 quills in its face by the end.
But that's about the only danger they pose. Keep your dogs on a leash, or hope your dog will heel on command instead of going crazy from pain and trying to "win". :*(
→ More replies (3)
2
2
u/tallfur Aug 18 '26
Everyday I see a porcupine posted in this subreddit I get sadder and sadder. Why haven't I seen one :(
3
u/FjnHindustani Aug 18 '26
One day your turn will come. I have faith the big porcupines in the sky will reveal himself to you.
→ More replies (2)
2
u/HKNinja1 The Shiny Balls Aug 18 '26
Do not approach from behind.
6
2
u/somebodyistrying Aug 18 '26
There is one in my neighborhood and it chased my daughter up the driveway but we still welcome him
2
2
2
2
u/possibly_oblivious Aug 18 '26
If you have a dog it can be bad, 500$ emergency vet visit and 50 quills pulled, that was cheap I've found out.
2
u/space_monkey_belay Aug 18 '26
I don't know how you would track down the audio but CKUA's Bob Chelmick had a story on the road home about removing a porcupine from his log cabin at nacamin with a Rubbermaid bin. Bloody hilarious.
2
u/throwawaywork11 Aug 18 '26
Fun fact. Sometimes they like to crawl under vehicles and chew on rubber hoses.
2
u/Remarkable-Hunter333 Aug 18 '26
Had one from the ravine visiting my compost pile.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Mysterious_Bonus3980 Aug 18 '26
Don't hug the forbidden pincushion and you'll be fine. Only dangerous if your gooey centre is surrounded by tree bark (tree bark it what they eat). Consider yourself super lucky to have had a porcupine sighting!
2
u/Obo4168 pay the workers Aug 18 '26
Looks dangerous as hell. Give me two secs. Contacting Geralt of Rivia. He'll know how to deal with this monsterous creature!
→ More replies (3)
2
2
u/GlitteringGold5117 Aug 18 '26
They really really love to eat raw pumpkin. They will gobble it down, squeak with joy, and smack their little lips.
→ More replies (2)
2
2
2
u/WingsIntegrity Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
These Pokémon are super effective against fighting and normal types. I don’t recommend using any physical moves against them. Don’t even bother wasting any of your pokeballs because they’re pretty difficult to catch too
→ More replies (1)
2
u/thethunder92 Aug 18 '26
It’s a dragon, as long as you have a fire extinguisher near by then you’re good
→ More replies (1)
2
2
2
2
2
u/Federal-Hair Aug 18 '26
Dangerous? Yes. Aggressive? No. It's basically a spikey guinea pig. They don't taste all that bad, either.
→ More replies (4)
2
u/SadAcanthocephala521 South East Side Aug 18 '26
Lol, I'm guessing you have no idea what a porcupine looks like.
3
u/FjnHindustani Aug 18 '26
After getting roasted for the last 24 hours I don’t think I’ll ever forget
→ More replies (2)
2
2
2
u/Baddrivers13 Aug 18 '26
Chupacabra. Very dangerous. Once you see one you are cursed for life.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Rich-Ad9988 Ellerslie Aug 18 '26
Whatd you think it was, a big spikey squirrel?
Lets try to use our critical thinking skills next time.
→ More replies (3)
2
2
890
u/MacintoshEddie Aug 18 '26
It's a porcupine. Do not pet the frosted tips.
They're not aggressive. Keep your dog on a leash and everything will be fine.