In November, the baby porcupine was born with soft, fuzzy quills and rusty red fur.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C. welcomed a new little porcupine, and they also asked followers to suggest a suitable name for the little newcomer.
“The name for a baby porcupine is a porcupette. And we have a new one at @NationalZoo who needs a name of his own! We are asking for your help to pick a name for our prehensile-tailed porcupine born in November,” the Smithsonian wrote on Twitter.
“What should our @NationalZoo porcupette’s name be?” the museum added, including a poll for followers to vote through. “His parents are Quillber (!) and Beatrix, should that affect your choice.”
According to zoo officials, Quilly McQuillface was not an option, they give a chance to the public to choose from either Quilliam, Quillson, Prickles or Gonzo. Most of the votes gone to the first name with 43.4 percent approval, while Prickles got second place with 26.6 percent.
“We’ll get right to the point: Our @NationalZoo porcupette’s name will be Quilliam! Thanks to all who voted and while we know we said no write-ins, shout-out to all of you who suggested quill․i․am,” the Smithsonian updated its followers.
Officials also explained that naming the little porcupines will help zookeepers during training and “for things like ultrasounds and learning to touch targets.” Mostly, the porcupines are named within the first two months after their birth.
They also revealed that while the animal’s quills are tough (as expected), “porcupine noses feel like marshmallows.” Their tails are as long as their bodies and they use it to grasp tree branches like an extra limb.
According to the zoo’s website, Quilliam and his species are native to South America in Venezuela, Guiana, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Trinidad, and some northern regions of Argentina. They live from 12 to 17 years.
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