Spike is a 14-year-old North American Porcupine who has lived at the Lake Superior Zoo for most of his life.

Zookeeper Emily Perala admits that Spike is one of her favorites, “One, he’s just really really cute. They have cute, fuzzy faces. He just has a really calm, fun personality that I enjoy quite a bit.”

Porcupine’s hair are longer than his quills. “If something is trying to go after them because they smell very appealing- they’re very stinky. So dogs and stuff really like them.”

“They’re really unique herbivores that are solitary. So they need the quills to help keep them safe.”

Spike gets greens and veggies everyday. He’ll also chew on antlers to help maintain his teeth.