English

Erethizon dorsatum

Alternative forms

• Canada porcupine

Noun

Canadian porcupine ‎(plural Canadian porcupines)

1. A North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum).
   • 1837, Henry Wolsey Bayfield, Sailing Directions for the Gulf and River of St. Lawrence, page 173,

     There are deer (Caribou), bears, wolves, foxes, martens, otters, beavers, and Canadian porcupines in the interior; most of which are hunted for their skins by the few inhabitants of the coast.

   • 1838, Félix de Azara, The Natural History of the Quadrupeds of Paraquay and the River la Plata, page 262,

     The fisher is said to live much on frogs in the summer season; but I have been informed that its favourite food is the Canadian porcupine, which it kills by biting on the belly.

   • 1958, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Game News, Volume 29, page 99,

     Canadian porcupines may have coats varying from almost black to grizzled brown or "tweedy" slate.

Synonyms

• (Erethizon dorsatum): cawquaw, North American porcupine, urson, common porcupine (US, Canada)