Canadian porcupine

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.