Porcupines are best known for their 300,000 sharp, hollow quills but there’s much more to these creatures which is the focus of a DWR viewing event this weekend. “We’ve never hosted a wildlife viewing event for porcupines before, and I think it will be quite memorable for those that attend,” shares DWR Northeastern Region Conservation Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby. “Someone once referred to them as a ‘Rocky Mountain sloth,’ and that description has forever stuck with me. Porcupines are not the typical wildlife species that we highlight, but we see quite a few in the northeastern part of the state during the winter. I have grown to adore and appreciate porcupines and look forward to sharing a truly unique experience with our participants.” While mostly nocturnal, porcupines can often be seen during the day throughout the winter. They are primarily found in Utah’s river bottoms, feasting on tree bark, needles and dried berries, while soaking up the winter sunshine. The viewing event is taking place this Saturday, March 16th, from 9am to noon at the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge.
