Meet my new friend Morocco

Last week SeaWorld came to visit our patients at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento. Patients met a baby kangaroo, a kinkajou, a porcupine, a fox and two Magellanic penguins. Patients interacted up close with animal ambassadors and were able to ask questions about the wildlife and their habitats.

After the kids visited, employees were invited to walk through the central activity area and visit the animals. The animal trainer was sitting on the ground with the porcupine so I asked if I could sit down next to him. He introduced me to Morocco and then the next thing I know the porcupine walked across my lap! I was grateful for my colleague for taking these pics! Did you know that porcupines cannot shoot their quills? They have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills.  Porcupines cannot shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills do detach easily when touched.

I will never forget you Morocco. What a great day!