Go behind the scenes for an up-close experience with the porcupettes in a session led by Maymont staff inside the nursery room. Learn about the unique adaptations, behaviors and natural history of the North American porcupine, the second-largest rodent on the continent, after beavers.

Born in May, the porcupettes are both female and non-releasable to the wild as they have become habituated to humans. In 2026, they will move to their new habitat on the Virginia Wildlife Trail, which is being enhanced as part of the Maymont 2025 initiative

Each 30-minute session includes a talk, Q&A, enrichment exercise and photo op with the animals - no flash photography. (Please note, for safety reasons, direct contact with the animals is not permitted.) 

The up-close experience is limited to 6 people at a time, at $85 per person, which helps support animal care at Maymont. If you wish to bring a group of 6 people and the session you have selected is already partially filled, you will see an error message. Please choose another date or time if you wish to book a group of 6 people for the same session. 

All registrants must be 4 years of age or older and will be required to complete an onsite liability waiver before participating in the program. Click here to preview the waiver. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. We cannot provide refunds for late arrivals or missed sessions.

Have questions? Email registrar@maymont.org, or call 804-358-7166, ext. 304, during weekdays, 10 am to 5 pm.