Mammal
North American Porcupine
Erethizon dorsatum
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
Common Names
Common Porcupine
Habitat
Poplar River, MT
Conservation
Apparently secure
First Observed
1805-05-03
Observed At
Along the Missouri River in present-day Montana
Subspecies largely defined by range. Lewis noted many near “Porcupine [now Poplar] Creek.” A specimen was not collected.
In the NPS atlas of species the expedition described
Yellow-haired porcupine
Subspecies largely defined by range. Lewis noted many near "Porcupine (now Poplar) Creek." A Specimen was not collected.
Source: National Park Service, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Park Atlas.
Recent sightings
Where it’s being seen today
7 research-grade iNaturalist observations between 2018–2026. Most recent: 2026-02-15. Sourced from Terrain360 trail captures, cached locally.
Journal References
15 journal entries mention North American Porcupine
Sep
17
1804
Clark: September 17, 1804
...of a Different Kind Seen to day,Great many Plumbs, rabits,
Porcupines & barking Squrels, Capt Lewis Killed a rattle Snake in a
village of the Squirel's and Saw a Hair ...
Apr
26
1805
Lewis: April 26, 1805
...te
winter food to these anamals as well as the growse, the porcupine, hare,
and rabbit. about 12 Olock I heard the discharge of several guns at the
junction of the ri...
May
1
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — John Ordway: May 1, 1805
cold, we Set off at Sun rise, the wind from the East, we Sailed on verry well passed broken bluffs & round knobs on the...
May
1
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — Patrick Gass: May 1, 1805
continued so high, we could not proceed until the afternoon. While we lay here our hunters went out and killed some buffaloe and deer. They...
May
1
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — Joseph Whitehouse: May 1, 1805
ee: pleasant morning but cold. we Set off at Sun rise, the wind from the east. we Sailed Some. we passed high bluffs and round...
May
2
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — John Ordway: May 2, 1805
continued Snowing & blowing so that we did not Set off. Some of 1 Clark named it Martha's River, "in honor to the Selebrated M....
May
2
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — Joseph Whitehouse: May 2, 1805
at day light it began to Snow & blow So that we did not Set off this morning. Some men went out to hunt. Killed...
May
3
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — Joseph Whitehouse: May 3, 1805
clear but verry cold for this month. we Set off about 7 oC & proceeded on the Standing water was froze over in places, &...
May
3
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — John Ordway: May 3, 1805
...d during the day. The north-
side stream, to which the name Porcupine River was given, is modern
Poplar River. It rises in Saskatchewan and Hows across Sheridan County.
...
May
3
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — Patrick Gass: May 3, 1805
...mile above we passed a large creek on the
south side called Porcupine creek.— We came this day about
20 miles and encamped on the north side.
May
4
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — John Ordway: May 4, 1805
Snow is all melted off the hills, we delayed Some time to mend the rudder of the red perogue which got broke landing last even-...
May
4
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — Patrick Gass: May 4, 1805
6 82 GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE noon we passed a creek on the south side, about 40 yards wide. The river has been more straight...
May
5
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — John Ordway: May 5, 1805
proceeded on one hunter who stay[ed] on the S. S. all night came to us at breakfast time, had killed two buffaloe Calfs which we...
May
5
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — Patrick Gass: May 5, 1805
During this day the country appeared beautiful on both sides of the river. We went sixteen miles and encamped on the north side. The sick...
May
6
1805
Missouri River near Porcupine River — Joseph Whitehouse: May 6, 1805
clear pleasant and warm. the wind from the east. we Sailed on verry well. Caught two beaver last night. Saw a brown bair Swim the...
