SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 3, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) -- Hogle Zoo has announced the name of its porcupette.
"We hope you’re emotionally prepared," a zoo social media post says. "Meet Blake!
"Warning: Looking at this photo of Blake may cause uncontrollable squealing, excessive smiling, and immediate plans to visit the zoo."
The North American porcupine (also known as porcupettes as juveniles) was born on April 27 to zoo residents Blackberry (mom) and Barton (dad).
It seems unlikely that the parents selected the baby's name.
"Weighing just over two pounds at birth, the healthy porcupette is nursing and starting to eat solid foods," said a birth announcement, issued May 19.
"It may take up to six months before Hogle Zoo’s team can identify if the porcupette is male or female."
The April 27 birth occurred in the Aline W. Skaggs Wild Utah exhibit, the announcement said. It was a milestone since about 40% of porcupine mothers' first-time births result in stillbirth, the release said.
Porcupettes are born with soft quills that harden within hours and can move about and defend themselves shortly after birth. Guests may see Blackberry and the porcupette in Wild Utah.
"The porcupette will remain with Blackberry for at least the next eight months before transferring to another facility to serve as an ambassador for its species," the release says.
The porcupette’s arrival is an important contribution to the North American porcupine Species Survival Plan (SSP), a collaborative program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that supports healthy, sustainable populations under human care, the release says.
For more information on Hogle Zoo, click here.
