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North American Porcupine

Erethizon dorsatum

Mammal · family Erethizontidae · order Rodentia

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

North American Porcupine
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
33 states[3]
Typical length
37 in[4]

The North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is a mammal in the rodent order[5]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide, and it is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[2][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives this species a global rank of G5 (Secure) and a US national rank of N5 (Secure)[2][6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. USFWS ECOS data show it is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1]. State ranks differ from place to place, as the table shows[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern

Where North American Porcupine lives

NatureServe lists this porcupine as native in 33 US states and territories, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Maine, Texas and Wyoming[3]. It is ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated (gone from the state) in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina and Ohio[9]. These lists show where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see one[3].

Alaska: native, state rank S5AKMaine: native, state rank S5MEWisconsin: native, state rank S4WIVermont: native, state rank S5VTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5NHWashington: native, state rank S5WAIdaho: native, state rank S3IDMontana: native, state rank S3MTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRMNIllinois: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5MAOregon: native, state rank S3ORNevada: native, state rank SNRNVWyoming: native, state rank S5WYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5SDIowa: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXIAIndiana: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXINOhio: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXOHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5PANew Jersey: native, state rank S4NJConnecticut: native, state rank S5CTRhode Island: native, state rank S3RICalifornia: native, state rank S3CAUtah: native, state rank S4UTColorado: native, state rank S5CONebraska: native, state rank S4NEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S3WVVirginia: native, state rank S1VAMaryland: native, state rank S3MDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: native, state rank S4AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S5NMKansas: native, state rank S3KSArkansas: not recordedARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXNCSouth Carolina: not recordedSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank S3OKLouisiana: not recordedLAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: not recordedALGeorgia: not recordedGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5TXFlorida: not recordedFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[8].
Show state ranks (38 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlaskaS5Secure
ArizonaS4Apparently Secure
CaliforniaS3Vulnerable
ColoradoS5Secure
ConnecticutS5Secure
IdahoS3Vulnerable
IllinoisSXPresumed Extirpated
IndianaSXPresumed Extirpated
IowaSXPresumed Extirpated
KansasS3Vulnerable
MaineS5Secure
MarylandS3Vulnerable
MassachusettsS5Secure
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRNot Ranked
MontanaS3Vulnerable
NebraskaS4Apparently Secure
NevadaSNRNot Ranked
New HampshireS5Secure
New JerseyS4Apparently Secure
New MexicoS5Secure
New YorkS5Secure
North CarolinaSXPresumed Extirpated
North DakotaSNRNot Ranked
OhioSXPresumed Extirpated
OklahomaS3Vulnerable
OregonS3Vulnerable
PennsylvaniaS5Secure
Rhode IslandS3Vulnerable
South DakotaS5Secure
TexasS5Secure
UtahS4Apparently Secure
VermontS5Secure
VirginiaS1Critically Imperiled
WashingtonS5Secure
West VirginiaS3Vulnerable
WisconsinS4Apparently Secure
WyomingS5Secure

Habitat

NatureServe records forests of hardwood, conifer and mixed trees, along with woodlands, shrubland and forested wetland[10]. It prefers evergreen and mixed forests, and in some areas it also lives in grasslands, shrublands and deserts[11]. In winter it may den in a rock outcrop, a hollow tree or log, or an outbuilding, and it may shelter in dense evergreens[11].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[10]

Size and diet

This animal is an herbivore, meaning it eats plants[12]. EltonTraits estimates its diet at 70% other plant material, 20% seeds and 10% fruit[13]. In winter it eats the inner bark of trees and evergreen needles, and in spring it turns to buds[14]. NatureServe records a typical length of 93 cm (37 in) and a typical adult weight of 18 kg (40 lb)[4][15]. Only one young is raised each year, and births come in spring[16].

Trait Value
Typical length[4] 93 cm (37 in)
Typical adult weight[15] 18 kg (40 lb)
Food habits[12] Herbivore
Active[17] nocturnal
Migration[18] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[13]

  • 70% other plant material
  • 20% seeds
  • 10% fruit

When to look for it

The porcupine is mainly nocturnal, which means active at night, though it is often seen during the day[19][20]. NatureServe lists it as a non-migrant, although populations can differ[18]. It breeds in autumn and gives birth in spring[16].

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record North American Porcupine as present in 108 park units[21]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 84 more park units.

Questions people ask

Is the North American Porcupine endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) globally[2].
Where does the North American Porcupine live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 33 US states and territories, such as Alaska, Maine, Oregon and Texas[3]. It is ranked as gone from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina and Ohio[9].
What does the North American Porcupine eat?
It is an herbivore[12]. It eats inner bark and evergreen needles in winter, buds in spring, and berries, fruits and seeds in summer[14].
How big is the North American Porcupine?
NatureServe records a typical length of 93 cm (37 in) and a typical adult weight of 18 kg (40 lb)[4][15].
Is the North American Porcupine active at night?
Mainly yes. It is recorded as nocturnal, but it is frequently seen during the day[19][20].

Facts and sources

  1. North American Porcupine is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for North American Porcupine: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists North American Porcupine as native in 33 US states and territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 93 cm (37 in). NatureServe Explorer
  5. North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is a mammal in the family Erethizontidae, order Rodentia. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. NatureServe state ranks for North American Porcupine (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe ranks North American Porcupine as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio. NatureServe Explorer
  10. Habitat types NatureServe records for North American Porcupine: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Forested wetland. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe notes on habitat for North American Porcupine. NatureServe Explorer
  12. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Herbivore. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% other plant material, 20% seeds, 10% fruit. EltonTraits 1.0
  14. NatureServe notes on food for North American Porcupine. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 18 kg (40 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  16. NatureServe notes on reproduction for North American Porcupine. NatureServe Explorer
  17. Activity time in EltonTraits 1.0: nocturnal. EltonTraits 1.0
  18. NatureServe migration category for North American Porcupine: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  19. NatureServe notes on phenology for North American Porcupine. NatureServe Explorer
  20. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Circadian, Nocturnal. NatureServe Explorer
  21. NPSpecies park lists recording North American Porcupine as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.