Porcupines love to snack on fruits with high fibers and glucose content like apples. In captivity, fruits and veggies should be their staple diet. If someone gets poked, get medical help immediately. At the end of that summer I had to move far away. Do you have a story or anything else that you would like to share about keeping pet porcupines? Another thing to keep in mind is to never let them be alarmed. I never thought too much about porcupines until an injured young porcupine showed up in my yard. But finally I looked around for the porcupine and couldn’t find him. People have varied experience while keeping these rodents as pets. 4. Hence, it is best to keep them separate from other pets, unless there is a rare occurrence where they get along together. For the porcupines that do not climb trees (terrestrial), like crested, cages need to be longer than taller. My family devotes a small room to our rabbit with a litter box full of hay/straw, some fresh water, food, toys, chew toys, etc.. I’ve heard that north american porcupines love to climb, so I’d imagine a cat tree would be a good idea for them as well? Exotic pets can be beautiful, unique, and some can be trained to do tricks, talk, or retrieve items for you. Do not totally surprise them either. If you want to bookmark it in your browser to read it later, you can do so by pressing Ctrl and D at the same time in your keyboard. In the wild, their habitat ranges from the grasslands, shrub lands, mountains, forests and even deserts. Like I mentioned above, they also need to be housed imitating their natural habitat. There isn’t a vet or an animal rescue center around, do you think I can do something to help it? Therefore, in captivity I think it would be wise to set regular eating hours for them. I happened to look in the field next to the carcass and saw a young porcupine. Because this animal is covered in quills, you won’t be able to scoop it up and hug it. This is because once it gets used to you, your pets and the surroundings; it may have no fear of other pets, wild animals or humans. Of course they said that it never got upset. If it is still alone tomorrow I will endeavour to rescue and rear it. Most likely they want to be left alone and are not really affectionate. Like a small dog, Teddy lets his keepers tickle his belly and enjoys being chased around. There are definitely more cons in keeping porcupines then pros. They also love corn on a cob and yellow pumpkins. Quills and all I’m a porcupine enthusiast for sure. So you need to facilitate this natural digging behavior. Porcupines can have up to 30,000 quills on their stocky bodies. Buzz60's Johana Restrepo has … This animal will also need a bit of salt sprinkled on its food as a supplement. Got about 3-4 miles away and I had to stop. yesterday there were 5 porcupettes present, today only 1. However, many porcupine handlers and lovers agree that the quills are harmless as long as the animal isn’t alarmed and you think safety first. What you can do right now is make it as comfortable as possible. are prone to get attacked. Nose is a vulnerable spot. So I’m on number 2 of my porcupine experience and hoping the second will be as rewarding as the first. Porcupines are affectionate and love to snuggle and rub their nose on you once they get to know you. They also shake their tail back and forth bristling up. Talking about chewing, all porcupines need something to chew on at all times. Hey we found a porcupine that had lost all of its back quills not that long ago and we were keeping him and carrying for him and this morning while checking on him I noticed that he was laying on his side and not moving at all he is still breathing and what not but will not eat or drink, there are also these small white bugs on him that may have something to do with it? But, it is never a good idea to to do so, unless you are pro. Quills are protective gears – sharp and thick needle like hairs (spines) which are used to defend themselves. However, I believe big wire cages are ideal for porcupines. Do you have any advice? I am currently mixing all species milk replacement and soaking whole grain bread for him to eat hoping he will get enough nutrient since he turns away from all of his regular food (apples,carrots,corn,fruits,etc.) (Please be sure to share if you have seen such circumstances in the comments below.). Unlike other pets, the porcupine should definitely come with a “handle with care,” label. The most characteristic feature about porcupines is obviously that they are quill bearing rodents.