[wisb] Re: Necedah National Wildlife Refuge [Juneau County]
- From: Chris West <little_blue_birdie@xxxxxxx>
- To: Sharon Swiggum <sgswiggum@xxxxxxx>, "[Wisb]" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 00:57:34 -0500
I don't want to start an entire discussion on this, but:
Contrary to popular belief, Porcupines cannot "shoot" their quills. The quills
are modified hairs that have barbed tips that prevent them from coming out
easily when "slapped" so to speak into a predator. The quills fall out easily
and are left sticking in whatever predator is unwise enough to approach too
close.
The "shooting" their quills myth may have come from loose quills that
accidentally got knocked out when the Porcupine hit a predator with it's tail.
Getting stuck full of quills takes physical contact though. So now worries
about getting close. Just don't get too close.... lol
Happy Birding! --Chris W, Richland County
http://swallowtailedkite.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swallowtailphoto
"The beauty and genius of a work of art may be reconceived, though its first
material expression be destroyed; a vanished harmony may yet again inspire the
composer; but when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no
more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be
again."
(From William Beebe's "The Bird: Its Form and Function," 1906)
> From: sgswiggum@xxxxxxx
> To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [wisb] Necedah National Wildlife Refuge [Juneau County]
> Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 23:43:06 -0500
>
> The weather was perfect for birding and enjoying wildlife at Necedah
> National Wildlife Refuge this evening.
>
> Section E-- Sprague Pool
> Eastern Kingbird--Many
>
> Driving from Section E to Section C
> Scarlet Tanager
> fawn with its mother
>
> Section C-- Boghaunter Trail
> Bobolinks
> Whooping Cranes-4
> Eastern Bluebirds
> Porcupine
>
> South of Section C before Shortcut Road
> Redheaded Woodpecker
>
> Section B- Rynearson Wetlands Observation Tower and Trail
> Whooping Crane-1
> Swan-flyover
>
> This link is a map which shows the different sections on the refuge map.
> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/necedah/docs/NCDHtSpt.pdf
>
> Watch for porcupines while birding! Each time that I see a porcupine climb a
> tree at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, it reminds me of a cuddly koala
> bear.
>
> Before the porcupine was visible this evening, I could hear it in the
> grasses near me. It climbed the tree next to the wetland bridge on the
> Boghaunter Trail that I needed to cross to return to my car. As I crossed
> the bridge, the porcupine was extremely close and its eyes followed me. When
> it turned its back end towards me, I ran to establish some distance between
> the porcupine and me. I have no idea how far a porcupine can shoot its
> quills. Some people still claim that it can shoot quills from a distance.
> Others state that the porcupine slaps it victim with its tail. This
> encounter was a once in a lifetime experience. Super outing!
>
> Keep Looking Up!
> Sharon Swiggum :)
>
> Richland Center in Richland County
>
>
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