Twix the porcupine is a behind-the-scenes animal at the Lake Superior Zoo.

He’s not currently on exhibit, instead living at the Animal Care Center. Twix is a Cape porcupine, the largest kind in the world.

“We have New World porcupines in Minnesota. New World porcupines and Old World porcupines like Twix are different because our porcupines climb trees. And these guys are all on the ground,” Micayla Cobie with the Lake Superior Zoo said.

He loves to eat fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Raw potatoes are one of his favorite snacks.

Most of the quills you see on his back, which can be up to 2 feet long, are “display quills,” which make him look bigger but aren’t really part of his defense mechanism. He also has hollow quills near his tail.

“They’re called his rattle because he can shake them back and forth. And that’s another warning to predators,” Cobie said.

People who purchase VIP tickets to the upcoming zoo fundraiser Toast to Tails will be able to meet Twix.

“I’ve been working really hard with Twix for a couple months now to make sure he’s going to be safe for all guests and that guests are going to be safe for him as well,” Cobie said.

Toast to Tails goes from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, May 3. VIPs get in at 5 p.m. for the behind-the-scenes experiences. General admission is $50, and VIP costs $125.