The porcupine is the prickliest of rodents, though its Latin name means “quill pig”

'Groot' the porcupine was in a prickly situation. At just five days old, he fell into a storm drain. There seemed to be no way out. His quills may be useful for warding off enemies in the wild, but as a defence against the urban jungle, they had little effect.

The word porcupine translates to ‘quill pig’ in Latin, referencing their characteristic spikes. When threatened, the rodent will raise its bristling coat of armor and reverse towards the danger – they don’t shoot these barbs as was previously believed. A porcupine’s claws are as sharp as their quills, helping them forage for food or dig up burrows. This habit of excavation is thought to be important for ecosystems, maintaining the soil and vegetation.

So if you happen across a trapped porcupine, call your local animal rescuer. Luckily for Groot, he was spotted by a passerby and saved. With the care of the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife in KwaZulu-Natal, he has gone from fumbling to feisty. Now, Groot is on his way to living wild and free in his natural habitat.

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