A special new arrival at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has received her namesake in honor of one of Disney’s own cast members. A baby porcupette received the name, Shelley! The new addition was recently born to mama porcupine Peri. She is located at Animal Kingdom’s Conservation Station. Shelley shares her name with the Veterinary Operations Manager Shelley.
They share a special bond as cast member Shelley was essential in Peri’s prenatal care and monitoring of the baby porcupine. Some of the ultrasounds are even available to view on Disney+ on One Day at Disney Documentary. Here you can see Disney Veterinarian Dr. Natalie checking up on Shelley before she was born.
Peri is doing great as a mom. She is actually part of a Species Survival Plan, that Animal Kingdom is part of, to help ensure that different species of animals are being bred. It is an effort to try to prevent species extinctions. This program is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Shelley is a prehensile-tailed porcupine or otherwise known as a Brazillian Porcupine. She was born on February 25th, 2020. The gestational period for Brazillian porcupines is around 195-210 days.
Shelley was born with reddish fur that starts to harden and turn into her quills within hours of her birth. She will start to ween around 10-15 weeks and become independent around that 15-week mark. She is growing quickly, already over 2 lbs which is three times her birth weight already! She will grow to be up to 11lbs! Make sure you stop to visit her next time you plan a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
For more cute animal news stay connected with Chip and Co, for all the latest on the littlest Disney members being born into the family.
Source/Photos: Disney Parks
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