Joshua Buckley, 409-683-4256

Media Relations

Joshua Buckley, 409-683-4256

Jerri Hamachek, 409-683-4249

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 seventhporcupette 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, tree-dwelling 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

Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.

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