Porcupine Babies Born At Utica Zoo

They're known as "porcupettes" and they are now making their public debut at the Utica Zoo.  The two babies were born to their African Crested Porcupine parents at the beginning of this month.

According to uticazoo.org, the parents are named Kutama and Darius, and both have been at the zoo for about 7 years.  Although they have been together for 4 of those years, the new babies are the couple's first offspring.

The porcupettes have soft quills that will slowly become more stiff and more sharp. They were kept out of public view until they had their natural defenses in place.  Otherwise they may have fallen prey to hawks that fly over their exhibit at the zoo.

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