Волнистый ежик Твикс провел свой первый выездной день, рисуя картины для посетителей гольф-клуба

In Otter News: Putting with a porcupine Micayla Coble, Animal Encounters Manager at the Lake Superior Zoo, introduced Twix the Cape Porcupine during his first off-site program at Enger Park Golf Course. Twix spent the morning in the clubhouse before golfers headed out, painting and interacting with guests. Quills were given away for donations, and Twix enjoyed breakfast and explored the new environment. “He’s got a really big personality to match his really big hair,” Coble said. She described Twix as a goofball who is highly motivated. She explained that they trained for a year and a half to make Twix an ambassador animal, and this was his first time in a completely new setting. “Cape Porcupines are what I call an extraordinary animal doing ordinary things,” Coble said. “So what people love most about Twix is just him being himself. And that’s what I love most about Twix as well. He is just the coolest animal you’re gonna see.” Coble clarified a common misconception about porcupines, saying, “Most people think that porcupines can shoot their quills. That’s actually a misnomer. No porcupine species can shoot their quills, but they do detach really, really easily if they get embedded into you.” The event also featured Tortimer, a gopher tortoise from Florida, who mingled with guests and enjoyed some exercise. Coble shared that all “painting animals” at the zoo participate voluntarily and each has a unique style. Twix prefers abstract art, sometimes including peanut shells. Paintings can be purchased on demand from the zoo’s website, allowing supporters to choose colors and receive custom artwork.