Erethizon dorsatum (North American porcupine)
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Rodentia |
| Family | Erethizontidae |
| Genus | Erethizon |
| Species | Erethizon dorsatum |
| Common | North American porcupine |
| Diet | herbivore � eats tree cambium |
| Habitat | Tundra, coniferous forests and chaparral. |
| Description | Gray-brown to black, with dorsal guard hairs and spines that contain bands of yellow. Quills extend from head to tail on the dorsal surface. Arboreal adaptations include long claws and unique palms. |
| Skull Characteristics | Infraorbital foramen very large (hystricomorphous). Short paroccipital processes (compare to Myocastor). Prismatic teeth with rounded enamel loops. |
| Notes | Links to more species information: |