Noah’s Ark zoo farm near Nailsea has a cracking Easter

 Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm had a very busy Easter weekend with large visitor numbers and a new life celebration after the porcupines and coatis gave birth to some new arrivals.

The tiny porcupine born on Thursday, April 14, is the first baby for parents Porky and Prickles who arrived at the zoo in 2007.

Head keeper Chris Wilkinson said: “We are delighted with the new animal arrivals at the zoo especially as it’s the first time that both the porcupines and coatis have bred here.

"The baby porcupine was especially exciting as porcupines have spiked quills on their body.

"When the baby was born its body was soft but within the hour its quills had started to harden and go spiky!”

The gestation period for a porcupine is 112 days.

The young have no spines at birth, but have 5 white stripes down their backs.

They soon begin to eat solid food, and are mature at between 1 and 2 years old.

The two female coatis, Coco and Chanel also became first time mothers over the Easter holiday with a total of six coati babies born between them.

The babies are currently in their nest boxes and once they are able to climb out of their boxes at around 26 days old, visitors will be able to see them. 

Visitors are able to see the new porcupine this week during the bank holiday weekend.

Noah’s Ark Zoo is open Friday with a special Royal Wedding event, Saturday and Monday.