Guess Who’s Back? Morty Returns

Morty the Porcupine Emerges from Hibernation at the Villas

Image by Tara, March ‘25

For all admirers of large, lumbering, and inexplicably charismatic wildlife, we have breaking news: Morty the Porcupine has officially reappeared.

For those new to the community, Morty is no ordinary porcupine. He’s a local legend, a Strathcona County staple, and—depending on your perspective—either an adorable woodland wanderer or a prickly speed bump waiting to happen.

But for months, there has been no sign of him. Last spotted in October, Morty vanished into whatever secret hideout porcupines use to survive Alberta’s long, frosty winters. And now, months later —he's back.

Where Has Morty Been?

No one knows exactly where porcupines hide all winter, but given Morty’s impressive size and sudden post-hibernation weight loss, we can only assume he was tucked away in a cozy log, eating just enough bark and twigs to sustain himself until spring.

Despite the fact that winter struggles to release it’s grip on our community, Morty, in the hope of spring, emerges once more. His quills are slightly disheveled, his waistline slightly reduced, and his determination to lumber across our battle-torn driveway stronger than ever.

The Perilous Journey of Morty

For reasons only Morty understands, he insists on crossing the road—roughly 100 meters from the gate—as dusk falls. And as anyone who has driven into Villas on the Green can confirm, our entrance road is less "road" and more "Mad Max post-apocalyptic terrain."

Cracks. Potholes. Loose gravel. The occasional water-filled crater. It’s a minefield, and yet, Morty bravely embarks on his nightly trek, unfazed by the peril beneath his stubby paws. Some say he’s searching for food. Others say he’s seeking adventure. We suspect he just enjoys making people slam on their brakes.

Who is Morty, Anyway?

Morty belongs to an elite group of Strathcona County porcupines—those stocky, slow-moving, well-insulated rodents known for their adorably disgruntled expressions and impressive set of quills (which, fun fact, can number up to 30,000).

Porcupines in this area are:
✔️ Arboreal climbers (meaning they can climb trees—but with Morty’s bulk, we’re not sure how often he does this)
✔️ Mostly herbivorous (bark, twigs, leaves, the occasional garden plant if you're unlucky)
✔️ Surprisingly peaceful, unless provoked (which we strongly do not recommend)

Morty, in particular, is larger than average, possibly due to years of successful roadside foraging. But after a winter of hibernation (or whatever semi-hibernation porcupines do), he's trimmed down a bit, looking slightly less like a spiky ottoman and more like a lean, battle-hardened road warrior.

What Now for Morty?

Now that he’s emerged, expect to see him at dusk, possibly standing in the middle of the road like he owns it, contemplating life, and forcing drivers into slow-motion evasive maneuvers.

So, residents of Villas on the Green, keep your eyes peeled, your brakes at the ready, and your cameras close—you never know when Morty will make his next grand appearance.

And if you happen to spot him? Consider it an honor, because not everyone gets to witness the return of a legend.

Welcome back, Morty. We missed you.