Media Relations
Joshua Buckley, 409-683-4256
pr@moodygardens.org
Jerri Hamachek, 409-683-4249
jhamachek@moodygardens.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PORCUPINE GIVES BIRTH AT MOODY GARDENS®
Newest addition at Rainforest Pyramid® indicates successful habitat
Galveston, Texas (April 9, 2013) — The stork has delivered a prickly bundle of joy to the Rainforest
Pyramid at Moody Gardens®.
Snarky, a newborn Prehensile Tailed Porcupine porcupette, is exploring its exhibit inside the nocturnal
gallery of the Rainforest Pyramid. A quill will be sent for DNA testing to determine the gender as it gets
older.
Although the newborn looks as soft as a puppy, the quills will harden within a few weeks. The baby
weighed in at 460 grams at birth on March 27. Currently he weighs close to 600 grams.
Moody Gardens biologists have been monitoring the baby since its birth. This is the seventh porcupette
from mother Bobby-Sue, and her experience has resulted in a healthy and happy offspring. Bobby-Sue
and the father, Bono, have been together since 2007.
“We are pleased to announce the birth of a healthy porcupette at Moody Gardens,” said Assisant Curator
of Rainforest Paula Kolvig. “As an (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited organization, we
work closely with other zoos and aquariums on several conservation and breeding programs, and this
latest birth is an example of that. Mom and baby are doing well, and our guests can view the baby on
exhibit in the Rainforest.”
Prehensile Tailed Porcupines are found in the wild in Central and South America. These vegetarian, treedwelling animals usually weigh between four and 11 pounds, and their tails are almost as long as their
whole body. They are covered in short, thick spines and their body color runs from yellowish to orange to
brown. One of their defining characteristics is a small head with a round, bulbous nose which is covered
by short and fine hair. They also have whiskers on the face and feet that help in maneuvering around at
night.
Bobby-Sue and Bono’s previous three offspring have been sent to other AZA accredited facilities as part
of the organization’s Species Survival Plan Program. The breeding and transfer plan identifies population
management goals and recommendations to ensure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse, and
demographically varied population.
The 10-story Rainforest Pyramid houses plants, fish, birds and mammals from the rainforests around the
world. As a part of a greater effort, the Rainforest Pyramid reflects the importance of conservation and
education. Prehensile Tailed Porcupines are not endangered, but face loss of habitat due to deforestation.
For more information call 800-582-4673 or visit www.moodygardens.org.
Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of
rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.
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