Bronx Zoo welcomes baby porcupine - and he's SO cute

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Friday, August 28, 2015
(Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society)
Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society

BRONX, N.Y. -- It's a boy! A new porcupine has been added to the Bronx Zoo.

The baby North American porcupine was born is now on exhibit with its family at the Children's Zoo.

It was born July 28 to Alice and Patrick, their third.

Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society

The newest addition does not yet have quills. At birth, porcupine quills are very soft. They begin to harden a few hours after birth and continue as the baby grows.

The quills of the North American porcupine have a tiny barb on the tip that can pull the quill from the porcupine's skin and painfully embed it in a predator.

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