Meet Sam, Sophia — and a New Baby! Mill Mountain Zoo’s Prickly Family Grows

Roanoke, Virginia— Mill Mountain Zoo is thrilled to introduce the newest dynamic duo on the mountain—Sam and Sophia, a charming pair of North American porcupines who are quickly capturing the hearts of guests and staff alike. And now, there’s even more to love—a baby porcupine, known as a porcupette, was born on May 13th!

This exciting new arrival marks a special moment for the Zoo and adds a new layer of adorable to the porcupine habitat. While the gender of the porcupette is still unknown, staff report that the baby is healthy and thriving. Born with soft quills that begin to harden within hours, the porcupette wasted no time becoming active—climbing by day three and chewing on bark by day ten!

“Porcupettes are surprisingly independent early on,” said Julia Franet-Hornbeck, General Curator at Mill Mountain Zoo. “We’ve been delighted to see this little one already exploring, climbing, and displaying natural behaviors.”

Known for their quills and curious personalities, North American porcupines are gentle, slow-moving herbivores native to forests across the northern and western United States and Canada. At Mill Mountain Zoo, Sam and Sophia—along with their new baby—serve as important ambassadors for their species, helping guests learn about native wildlife and the role these unique mammals play in forest ecosystems.

“Sam is the more laid-back of the two, often found relaxing in the shade or munching on his favorite snacks,” said Franet-Hornbeck. “Sophia, on the other hand, is more curious and loves exploring her habitat and engaging with enrichment activities.”

The zoo’s staff has carefully designed a naturalistic habitat where Sam, Sophia, and their porcupette can climb, forage, and show off their impressive quills—all while providing guests an up-close look at these fascinating animals. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the porcupines during daily Keeper Chats, where they can learn about their diet, behaviors, and the myths behind their quills.

As keystone species, North American porcupines play an important role in healthy forest environments, and through education and conservation efforts, Mill Mountain Zoo is proud to give these prickly creatures a platform to inspire anew appreciation for native species.

“We are so excited to welcome not only Sam and Sophia, but now their baby as well, to the zoo family,” said Niki Voudren, Executive Director. “They’re already a big hit with our guests, and we can’t wait for the community to get to know them better. The porcupette is already a guest favorite, and we can’t wait for the community to watch it grow.”

Come meet Sam, Sophia, and their baby at Mill Mountain Zoo, open 7 days a week from 10 AM to 5 PM. For more information, visit www.mmzoo.org or follow us on social media @MillMountainZoo.

About Mill Mountain Zoo

Mill Mountain Zoo is governed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), demonstrating excellence in animal welfare, safety, and ethics on a national level.

All animal residents at the Zoo are critically endangered, vulnerable, threatened, or non-releasable due to injury, captive birth, or owner relinquishment. The Zoo participates in national and international Species Survival Plans, humane research, and conservation programs.

Located at the top of Mill Mountain, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mill Mountain Zoo overlooks the City of Roanoke. Founded in 1952, the Zoo is a 501(c)(3)non-profit operated by the Blue Ridge Zoological Society of Virginia, Inc.

Mill Mountain Zoo is dedicated to promoting an appreciation and understanding of wildlife and habitat preservation through quality exhibits, educational programs, and collaboration with other animal conservation organizations. The Zoo upholds three core beliefs: excellence in animal care, conservation management of endangered species, and fostering science education through its animal collection.

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