The Daily Beast - Porcupettes (those are baby porcupines) - September 25, 2012

Two baby porcupines have had their first ever health check-ups at Chester Zoo, in Chester U.K. The African Crested Porcupines – named Stempu and Noko - were born on Sept 1 and Sept 4 to mom Roxie and dad Nungu.
Keepers gave the duo a physical examination, inserted microchips and took their weights during the routine checks.

Chris Grindle, one of the zoo's keepers said, “We're very pleased to say that both of our spiky new arrivals are in great shape. “Noko tipped the scales at 865g while Stempu was a little heavier at 1075g.

 “Both look to be very healthy indeed and so we are extremely pleased with them – as are our visitors judging by their reactions when they see them.” 

Porcupine babies, called porcupettes, are born without sharp quills. Instead their spikes are soft and bendy but gradually harden after a few days.

Photos courtesy Chester Zoo

Porcupette Noko.

Porcupette Noko with keeper Chris Grindle.

Porcupette Stempu gets weighed.

Porcupette Stempu.

Comments

[Sheba]

That's what I look like first thing in the morning....only not that cute!