Near Woodland Park in Teller County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Tricky Affairs

The porcupine’s perfect defense

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, July 1, 2011

1. Tricky Affairs Marker

Inscription. The porcupine defends itself with between 15,000 and 30,000 needle-sharp quills. Each quill has barbs that flair out from the shaft that resist being pulled out, but also work themselves in. When challenged, the porcupine simply puts its head between its forelegs and turns its rump to the enemy.

Solitary but not territorial, porcupines may resort to communal denning in cold weather. Breeding, a complicated affair given the quills, occurs in late fall or early winter. Dens are chosen in rocky crevices or hollow logs, and a single kit is born in spring.

The porcupine is primarily nocturnal, but may be seen resting in trees during the day. The underside of the porcupine’s tail is covered with stiff downward pointing bristle to help the animal climb. Getting up the tree is only half the battle! The animal loves to chew and must be able to digest its favorite food-the inner bark of the tree!

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals.

Location. 38° 54.11′ N, 105° 3.886′ W. Marker is near Woodland Park, Colorado, in Teller County. It can be reached

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from Pike's Peak Toll Road. Located at Halfway Picnic Grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Woodland Park CO 80863, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Colorado High Rockies and in Pikes Peak Region.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Black (and sometimes brown) Bear (here, next to this marker); Elk Country (here, next to this marker); From Carriages to Corvettes (approx. 1.9 miles away); Race to the Clouds (approx. 1.9 miles away); Amazing Pikes Peak Feats (approx. 1.9 miles away); Well-traveled Water (approx. 2½ miles away); Test Your Bird I.Q. (approx. 2½ miles away); The Making of America's Mountain (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodland Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 731 times since then and 18 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 7, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?