Point Defiance Zoo Welcomes Its First Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine Birth in 121 Years
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has announced a landmark birth in Tacoma. A prehensile-tailed porcupine, also known as a coendou, was born Aug. 17, the first time the species has been born in the zoo's 121-year history.
A history-making arrival
The baby, described by the zoo as a porcupette, was born to Nigel and Quillow. Zoo officials said the birth followed a breeding recommendation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, a program intended to maintain healthy, genetically diverse animal populations in accredited zoos and aquariums.
That makes the new arrival more than a cute milestone. It is also a notable development for the zoo's animal care and conservation work, with the first recorded birth of a prehensile-tailed porcupine in the facility's 121-year history.
Behind the scenes with its parents
At 1 week old, the porcupette had a hands-on wellness exam with the zoo's veterinary team. Head Veterinarian Dr. Karen Wolf listened to the baby's heart and lungs, checked its eyes and mouth, and weighed it. Staff also collected several quills for DNA analysis to determine the animal's sex, because visual identification is difficult due to its anatomy.
The species is adapted for life in the treetops, according to the zoo. Its prehensile tail helps with balance and climbing, and the bare soles of its feet help it grip branches. The quills serve as its main defense, with many described as semi-hollow and barbed at the tips. The zoo also said these animals have soft, velvety noses and long whiskers that help them navigate.
For now, the baby is staying behind the scenes with Nigel and Quillow at the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater. Keepers will continue to weigh the porcupette regularly, and the veterinary team plans periodic health checks as the zoo follows the progress of its newest and most historic small resident.
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