Erethizon dorsatum (Linnaeus, 1758)

Species diagnosis

General characteristics

• Hystricognathus jaw
  
• Zygomatic arches are strongly built but the jugal does not contact the lacrimal
  
• Enlarged auditory bullae
  
• Infraorbital foramen huge, and it lacks a secondary groove or canal for nerves and blood vessels
  
• Parocciptal processes are short
  
• Second and third cervical vertebrae fused
  
• Body covered by barbed spines

Alaska subspecies