After delivering, Lucia, that shares the baby porcupine with Eddie, 8, failed to provide it ” correct maternal care,” and so the zoo took over care of the porcupette.

Animal care experts at the Brookfield Zoo are already providing round-the-clock assistance to the newborn animal, that has not yet been provided a gender or a name.

Regular bottle feedings of a special formula designed to support the porcupette’s healthy development become part of this committed care.

The zoo will gradually wean the young porcupine off the formula over time. The spiky youth must be able to eat solid foods at ten weeks old, such as sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, carrots, spinach, kale, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.

” The baby is thriving from the around-the-clock treatment given by zoo team and is growing strong due to a unique customized formula.”

” Once the baby expands huge enough, you’ll obtain an up-close take a look at the porcupette via the Hamill Family Play Zoo’s Animal Ambassadors program!”

” The baby is thriving from the around-the-clock care given by zoo staff and is growing strong due to a special customized formula.”

According to the zoo’s press release, newborn porcupines have “soft and bendable quills that protect the mom during the birthing process,” which stiffen in the days following birth.

Like the newborn at the Brookfield Zoo, prehensile-tailed porcupines are indigenous to the South American high-elevation rain forests.