Bull trout, salvelinus confluentus, and North American porcupine, erethizon dorsatum, interaction in the mackenzie mountains, Northwest Territories

Abstract

Evidence of an interaction between a Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and a North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), was observed during a fisheries survey in the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories. A male Bull Trout with porcupine quills imbedded in its mouth was collected. It is speculated that this occurred when the trout was aggressively defending its territory from a perceived threat-a swimming porcupine. This is the first documented account of an interaction between a fish and a porcupine.