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Iconic Photo of the Rare Black Brush-tailed Porcupine in Guarapari!

Writer's picture: Leonardo MerçonLeonardo Merçon

Black Brush-tailed Porcupine holding a vine in the leaf litter, looking directly at the camera in Paulo César Vinha State Park
Black Brush-tailed Porcupine holding a vine in Paulo César Vinha State Park, captured in a charismatic moment. | Photo: Leonardo Merçon/ Instituto Últimos Refúgios

The camera doesn’t just capture an image of an animal in motion; it tells a story. An adventure that those with a deep connection to nature can interpret as a message of conservation.

It was during one of these journeys that I encountered a rare species from the Atlantic Forest, the Black Brush-tailed Porcupine (Chaetomys subspinosus).


For a nature photographer like myself, every encounter with endangered species is a privilege that deserves to be documented and, more importantly, shared.This story is about the photograph I took of the Black Brush-tailed Porcupine in Guarapari, ES. It also tells how this image carries an important message.


In the Heart of the Capixaba Restinga

It was 2007. I had only three years of experience in nature photography, with limited resources, still balancing photography with other activities to make a living.At the time, I was just starting my first major project: a book about the biodiversity of Paulo César Vinha State Park, in Guarapari, Espírito Santo. This was my final project for my Graphic Design degree at UFES (the federal university of Espírito Santo).


Photographer Leonardo Merçon in 2007, sitting in the herbaceous marsh, at the start of his nature photography career
Leonardo Merçon in 2007, at the start of his career as a nature photographer, resting in the herbaceous marsh of Paulo César Vinha State Park. | Photo: Leonardo Merçon/ Instituto Últimos Refúgios

The reserve, which harbors a rich diversity of flora and fauna, was the stage for some of the most remarkable experiences of my career. I wasn’t alone on this journey. I had the invaluable help of Toninho Mateiro, a true master of the forest who had long traded hunting for assisting researchers and conservation projects.


Toninho Mateiro grew up in the region of Paulo César Vinha State Park and is considered one of the top practical nature experts in the state. The Instituto Últimos Refúgios produced a documentary about this remarkable figure, offering an overview of the area, including a warning about its conservation. Check it out:



Toninho knew the forest like the back of his hand, and thanks to his guidance, we managed to find the Black Brush-tailed Porcupine—an animal with slow movements but incredibly adept at camouflaging within the dense vegetation of the coastal forest (Restinga).


The Photo Session with the Black Brush-tailed Porcupine

When we found the Black Brush-tailed Porcupine, I immediately searched for the best angles to photograph it. The forest in Paulo César Vinha State Park isn’t tall, and the trees in that area of the coastal forest—around three meters high—allowed us to closely follow the animal’s movements.


Landscape of the restinga forest in Paulo César Vinha State Park, showing the transition between the forest and herbaceous marsh
Landscape of the restinga forest in Paulo César Vinha State Park, highlighting the transition from forest to herbaceous marsh. | Photo: Leonardo Merçon/ Instituto Últimos Refúgios

It moved between branches and vines with a carefully measured slowness, always aware of our presence. This was the key moment that allowed me to get such a special shot. When it positioned itself in a clear spot, with no obstacles blocking the view, I knew I had to act quickly.

Close-up of the face of a Black Brush-tailed Porcupine, showing its facial details
Close-up of the face of a Black Brush-tailed Porcupine, highlighting the details of its expression. | Photo: Leonardo Merçon/Últimos Refúgios Institute

I was thrilled because I had just purchased my first set of flashes. And it was this new gear that made all the difference. The dense forest blocked most of the natural light, but the flashes ensured I could get good lighting, even in the dim conditions of the forest.


Side view of a Black Brush-tailed Porcupine balanced on a branch in Paulo César Vinha State Park, widely used for conservation efforts
Black Brush-tailed Porcupine balanced on a branch, a widely used image in conservation campaigns. | Photo: Leonardo Merçon/ Instituto Últimos Refúgios

The porcupine, perhaps unsure of what was happening, attempted to move away, climbing through the vines. We couldn’t prolong the moment, and within a few minutes, we had finished taking the photos and let it continue on its way.


Connection

The feeling of being so close to a species threatened with extinction, like the Black Brush-tailed Porcupine, is overwhelming. I like to think that, if it could understand, it would realize that the discomfort caused by our presence served a greater purpose. The stress it went through was worth it for the awareness it helped raise.


This image has been widely used to illustrate scientific articles, endangered species lists, and outreach materials about the species, helping to educate people about the importance of conserving this charismatic creature and its habitat.


Although we spent just a few minutes with the porcupine, the experience will stay with me forever. The fact that I was able to photograph it in its natural habitat, with good lighting, made the moment even more special.


Facts About the Black Brush-tailed Porcupine

The Black Brush-tailed Porcupine is a fascinating species. It inhabits Brazilian forests and plays a vital role in the food chain. It is nocturnal and spends most of its time in trees, using its prehensile tail and sharp claws to safely move among branches and vines.



Black Brush-tailed Porcupine among vines in the restinga forest of Paulo César Vinha State Park. | Photo: Leonardo Merçon/Instituto Últimos Refúgios

These adaptations help it blend into its environment and conserve energy since its folivorous diet is low in nutrients. Unfortunately, the species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List and in the Brazilian Red Book of Endangered Species by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio).

The Role of Photography


As a nature photographer, my greatest pride comes from seeing my images being used for a purpose larger than my own work as an artist. Knowing that these photographs are widely used to represent the Black Brush-tailed Porcupine makes all the effort worthwhile. I hope that the public can see the beauty and fragility of this species and understand how crucial it is to protect it.


A Call to Action

This photo’s story shows that the Black Brush-tailed Porcupine, due to its rarity, symbolizes the fight to conserve the Atlantic Forest, one of the most threatened biomes in the world. That’s why my final message is clear: we must take care of what remains of our biodiversity. Every time a species nears extinction, we are closer to losing a piece of our own history. In my view, the extinction of a species brings us one step closer to the collapse of our own.


Visit, comment, like, and share this content. Send the article link to your friends who will enjoy this story. Your interaction is essential to keeping my conservation work alive and showing the world the importance of protecting our biodiversity.

I hope you enjoyed this story. See you on the next adventure!


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Nature photographer and cinematographer, founder of Instituto Últimos Refúgios, Master in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development, passionate about the environment! Join me on this incredible journey of wildlife discoveries and see more beautiful stories as I constantly explore nature.


 




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© 2004 by Leonardo Merçon Photography

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