Prickly Cute, Utterly Adorable
KANSAS CITY ZOO - A male and a female Prehensile-tailed Porcupine have created quite a stir in their new exhibit at the Tropics at the Kansas City Zoo. Climbing from end to end exploring and hanging upside-down by their tails, these stout barbed mammals use their tail for grasping branches and bare soles (callused pads) for tree climbing.
Their bodies are covered in short spines mixed with course hairs. The quills will lay flat until they are disturbed or frightened; they provide an impressive defense. Quills easily fall out so it is very difficult for animals to touch them without getting a quill embedded in their skin.
Named for their long prehensile tail, it becomes their fifth hand helping them navigate through the forest canopy. Although they tend to move slowly, they are very agile and can climb quickly as needed. The last third of the tail is spineless on the upper side which helps them spiral their tail around branches for a stronger grip.
Enhancing their cuteness is their round squishy looking nose; its bulbous form is covered with short white hairs. But do not be deceived with their adorable looks, when excited or feeling trapped, they will stomp their hind feet and may sit on their haunches, shake their spines and growl deeply or emit high pitch cries. Does this sound like anyone you may know?
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Kansas City Zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is $11.50 for adults and $8.50 for children ages 3-11, and, as always, FOTZ members are free. Call (816) 513-5800, or visit our web site www.kansascityzoo.org for more information.
