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How to See if It Is a Male or Female Porcupine

The North American porcupine is a large rodent which breeds once annually. Receptive female porcupines attract a number of males, which compete with each other for the female's attentions. Males vocalize loudly, use their quills and bite violently. A male porcupine courts the female by dousing her with his urine and these urine showers continue until the female is receptive to the male. The male porcupine sprays urine through ejaculation and is not through normal bladder pressure. As with other mammals, the male porcupine has a penis, which becomes erect during mating.

Instructions

- 1
  Observe the porcupines during July and August, which is the beginning of the animal's breeding season.
- 2
  Take note of how the porcupines behave during this period. Animals that rub their genitals on various items such as branches or rocks, are female. Female porcupines will stand or walk in an erect position for very short periods and stimulate their genitalia with such items as sticks.
- 3
  Notice the animal that smells and rubs its nose on trees, rocks and other prominent items in the area. This animal is the male, which is checking on sent messages left in the urine of the female.
- 4
  Look out for an animal that is walking on only three legs and clutching its genitals with one of its front paws. This animal is a male.
- 5
  Look out for two or more animals that are showing aggression toward one another. These animals are males and are vying for the attention of a receptive female. These animals will fight if necessary.
- 6
  Look for the animal that is standing on its back legs and spraying urine at another animal. The porcupine which is spraying is the male.
- 7
  Take note of the animal that exposes its quill-less belly and then presents to the second animal. The porcupine that presents its belly and then flattens its quill to be mounted, is a female. If the female does not accept the male which is urinating on her, she will scream and shake the urine off.
- 8
  Observe the genitals if you are able to get close enough. The male porcupine has a penis, which becomes erect during the urine spraying display and prior to mating.
- 9
  Notice the difference in size of the two animals, if you are sure that you are observing an adult pair of porcupines together. The male is the larger of the two animals.

Animals & Science