Teddy

Species: Porcupine
Born: 2015

Teddy Bear is a North American porcupine who was less than a year old when he came to us. He’s now a robust, moody animal who can chatter complaints to the caretakers one day and sings sweet chirping songs the next. Fresh willow branches and spruce logs are grumpily accepted. He hangs out in his redesigned, insulated Teddy box, which features a front porch and adjustable side window. (Note: Teddy was previously named Piney until he communicated his wish to be called by a softer name.)

Animal Fact

"Porcupines use their quills as a defense. They may shake them, which makes them rattle, as a warning to potential predators. If that doesn't work, they may charge backwards into the predator. The quills are loosely attached but cannot be thrown or projected" (Live Science). Porcupines can live up to 18 years (Zoo Idaho).

Photos of Teddy

Stories About Teddy

Note: Many of our posts are collections of stories about multiple animals at Earthfire. The animal you’re looking for may not be shown in these post previews, but each post does contain a relevant story.

Porcupine sleeping on a branch

Mornings with Teddy

Ann Loyola January 14, 2020

Teddy is a porcupine. He’s about five years old and came to Earthfire Institute as a private rescue four years ago. About a month after I began working here, Susan suggested I choose some animals for mutual mentoring and my first choice was Teddy. Now, three months later, I spend

White bison eating hay

Snapshots of Earthfire

Earthfire Institute November 19, 2019

Between getting ready for winter and speaking at a variety of events, we’ve been especially busy lately. But Dante Rios, our animal caretaker, has been delighting us with beautiful pictures of our animal residents. Please enjoy! (Click to enlarge)

Raccoons emerging from a crate

Raccoon Release Day

Dawn Harrison and Susan B. Eirich, PhD October 1, 2019

The weather was perfect and the girls were ready, so we knew it was the right day for releasing our rehabilitation raccoons. We found the ideal spot with a small stream and ample natural food in a location where we can provide supplementation if they need it to thrive through

Porcupine napping on a log

Piney the Porcupine Gets a New House

Dawn Harrison August 20, 2019

Moving days are stressful enough, but imagine if you were moved and no one told you what was happening. That would quickly turn a stressful day into a scary day. For Piney the Porcupine, moving day was a little scary. He had to wait in an unknown area with the

Porcupine sleeping on a branch

Mornings with Teddy

Ann Loyola January 14, 2020

Teddy is a porcupine. He’s about five years old and came to Earthfire Institute as a private rescue four years ago. About a month after I began working here, Susan suggested I choose some animals for mutual mentoring and my first choice was Teddy. Now, three months later, I spend

White bison eating hay

Snapshots of Earthfire

Earthfire Institute November 19, 2019

Between getting ready for winter and speaking at a variety of events, we’ve been especially busy lately. But Dante Rios, our animal caretaker, has been delighting us with beautiful pictures of our animal residents. Please enjoy! (Click to enlarge)

Raccoons emerging from a crate

Raccoon Release Day

Dawn Harrison and Susan B. Eirich, PhD October 1, 2019

The weather was perfect and the girls were ready, so we knew it was the right day for releasing our rehabilitation raccoons. We found the ideal spot with a small stream and ample natural food in a location where we can provide supplementation if they need it to thrive through

Porcupine napping on a log

Piney the Porcupine Gets a New House

Dawn Harrison August 20, 2019

Moving days are stressful enough, but imagine if you were moved and no one told you what was happening. That would quickly turn a stressful day into a scary day. For Piney the Porcupine, moving day was a little scary. He had to wait in an unknown area with the

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Our website presents an aspect of relating to wild animals that many of us don’t realize is possible. We believe that all Life is deeply interconnected and we have much to learn from each other through meaningful, guided interaction led by professional animal handlers. Authentic reconnection results in action to protect wildlands and wild beings.

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Driggs, Idaho 83422

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