Visit the New Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine at Potter Park Zoo

So many fun things are happening a Potter Park Zoo!

At the beginning of the month they announced that they'd be adding baby red pandas soon, in February triplet otter pups were born and now another new resident this week!

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Sophie the Prehensile-tailed Porcupine

Potter Park Zoo announced on their social media yesterday, June 24, that a prehensile-tailed porcupine named Sophie is their latest addition.

According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, prehensile-tailed porcupine are herbivores that eat leaves, flowers, roots, shoots and a layer beneath tree bark called the cambium layer.

They're nocturnal animals that typically reside in South American forests.

Did you know that they're tail acts as a "fifth thumb" when they're climbing?

You can visit Sophie near the Bird and Reptile house.

Jaali, the Black Rhino Leaving

Unfortunately Potter Park's first black rhino calf, Jaali, will be heading to a new home this fall. He will become part of a new environment, where he will be paired with a young female for breeding.

The black rhino is an endangered species because they are are hunted for their horns and sold on the black market.

You can find more information on black rhino's and Jaali's story here.

Fun Things Happening at Potter Park Zoo

If you and your significant other are looking for a little date night, the zoo has a fun event going on called "Zoo Nights."

It's a happy hour style evet from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on July 22 and August 26th. You can visit with the animals and play yard games while enjoying tasty treats and drinks from local businesses.

You must be 21 years or older to attend.

Click here for more information on Potter Park's "Zoo Nights."