Porcupette arrival makes Longleat history

A prickly new arrival has been born at Longleat, marking a first for the park.

Staff at the safari park near Warminster have welcomed a baby North American tree porcupine, otherwise known as a porcupette, in the last month. Yet to be named or the sex determined, it is thought to be one of only three North American tree porcupines born in the UK in the last 12 months.

The new arrival was born to mum Fennel and dad Mango – both first-time parents. Porcupettes are born with soft quills to allow the mother to give birth, but these harden into regular quills within hours of birth.

Samantha Peeke, Animal Adventure keeper at Longleat said, “We’re really excited for this arrival as it’s something we as keepers have been waiting a long time for. Fennel and Mango really hit it off when they were introduced last year and it’s amazing to already have a little porcupette with us.”

Porcupettes are born with their eyes open and quickly are able to move around by themselves. Longleat’s new arrival adventured out of the nest box at less than a day old. The young creature will begin eating vegetables at around two weeks old and will be fully weaned by three months old.

Samantha added, “The little one was spotted attempting to climb branches and chew on trees, although they were a little wobbly at first and definitely need more practice. It’s common for the mum to leave their young at the bottom of the tree whilst they go and forage. Fennel has been doing incredibly well as a first-time mum and has been protective of her baby as we would expect.

“Mango won’t have too much interest in the porcupette, instead he’ll be much more interested in his dinner!”

Pictured:  The porcupette is yet to be named by staff at Longleat