Canadian wildlife · Drawing 08 of 40
North American Porcupine
In the forests
The North American porcupine moves slowly through the forest. Quills lie among its long hairs. It eats plants and can climb into trees for food.
Did you know?
Its curved claws help it grip tree trunks.
Look together
Can you see its claws against the trunk?
An idea to try
Draw a tree trunk with large bark shapes that are easy to colour.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
Scientific name: Erethizon dorsatum. Where it lives: Forests and other habitats across much of Canada. What it eats: Leaves, buds and bark. Quills help a porcupine defend itself. Its claws and feet also allow it to reach food in trees, including leaves and bark.
Look together: Can you see its claws against the trunk? Draw a tree trunk with large bark shapes that are easy to colour.
Sources and illustration notes (1)
Simplified drawing for colouring. Coat, feather or skin markings are left white so children can choose their colours. Proportions and details are not a scientific identification plate.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. Source titles appear in their original language; some linked pages are in French.
- Hinterland Who’s Who — PorcupineClimbing claws, defensive quills and plant diet.
Source review: 2026-09-30. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
