The porcupine’s iconic quills is probably its most famous feature but its strong tail is equally worthy of praise.
A video shared by an eco-lodge in Trinidad shows why: these animals have a muscular tail that can help them climb trees.
“The Brazilian porcupine is exceptionally well adapted to moving through the canopy,” says Giselle Ragoonanan, general manager at HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre. “Its long, muscular prehensile tail wraps around branches and functions almost like a fifth limb, anchoring as it climbs and reaches for food.”
In the footage, the adorable animal shimmies its way up the tree trunk, using its legs and strong tail to grip on.
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Brazilian porcupines – the species featured in the video – have large, squishy-looking noses which are, frankly, too adorable for words.
Although this species does live on the island of Trinidad, sightings are very rare.
One individual has a particular place in HADCO Experiences’ heart. In 2024, the eco-lodge partnered with El Socorro Centre for Wildlife Conservation to release a rescued Brazilian porcupine called Sir Señor back into the wild (it’s not clear from the video whether this is him).
Sir Señor “was rescued from a private residence in Santa Cruz,” she says. “Following rehabilitation, he was released into the forest at Asa Wright Nature Centre in 2024.”
Image and video credit: HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre
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