Porcupines are parasitized by lice, ticks and mites, some are afflicted with mange, and many have tapeworms and other internal parasites. In our state, most porcupines live in areas of extensive forests. Few, if any, porkies live in the southwestern or southeastern parts of the state. Mammalogists have theorized that the porcupine originated in South America, crossed the Isthmus of Panama during the Pleistocene period, and overspread North America. Today, three other genera of New World porcupines inhabit South America.
Porcupines seem to be holding their own.
Habitat Porcupines live in forests but can be found away from tall trees if brush is available. A single animal may spend several months feeding on only one or two trees and using the land between them and its den. Summer ranges are larger, between 15 and 65 acres, with an average of 45 acres in deciduous woods. The summer ranges may be a half-mile or farther from the winter ranges, as den sites and conifers aren't important components of summer territories. In summer, porcupines favor deciduous forests, especially areas with high concentrations of oaks.