Additionally, this same coating also helps to reduce friction and makes it easier for the porcupine to move through its environment without getting caught on any obstacles. I bumped into this porcupine while on a trail run in the Green Mountain National Forest in Bennington, Vermont. And just like human hair they grow back in a constant cycle. Porcupines use quills that cover their backs and tails to protect themselves, and these quills are mixed in with their regular hair. A predator will need to be close to a porcupine to get a puncture wound. Swimming: Porcupines are surprisingly good at swimming, as their hollow quills allow them to keep afloat. My only suggestion to one who would monkey with a porcupine's tail is this: wear tough gloves on your hands and glasses to protect your eyes. Removing these quills is a painful process that deters many attackers from wanting to hunt a porcupine ever again. In the spring and summer, porcupines shift to eating berries, seeds, grasses, leaves, roots and stems. Your physician will probably numb the area and remove the quills. The quills themselves cant penetrate very deep into a target because theyre relatively lightweight and dont have much momentum behind them when released from the body of the porcupine. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Since part of the porcupine's skin is coated in soft fur, the sharp quills stand out even more. The quills are sometimes called guard hairs because they are really just hardened hairs. Please be respectful of copyright. On the plus side, porcupines are nearsighted, slow-moving, and nocturnal. When a porcupines defensive strategies of sight, sound, and odor fail to deter a predator, it will resort to more physical tactics. At the touch of my foot he had struck upward with his armored tail, and missed. A lot of mystery surrounds this strange defense mechanism, including whet her porcupines can launch their quills at enemies. Possibly by the tension and release of some mysterious skin mechanism, I imagined; and if that appears to you like a wild surmise, remember how the larvae of certain fruit flies, wingless and footless, can hurl themselves bodily through the air with the agility of a cheese hopper. How magnesium affects your sleep and anxiety, Eight of the best new hotels for a US city break in 2023, 6 hiking and biking trails to explore in the Alps this summer. I am owned by two dogs who take me on hikes in the mountains where we see coyotes, black bears, and wild turkeys. Sometimes quill tips can get stuck, and they may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection as the quill tips work their way out of your skin. Heres how. Climbing: Porcupines have excellent grip, allowing them to climb up trees. When the quills enter the skin of a predator, they work their way further into the skin at a rate of 1 mm an hour. Because the quills carry bacteria with them, once they penetrate the skin they can serve as a source of infection and abscesses. Were long-time travelers and lived in South America for six years. They cannot throw or shoot their quills. Porcupines don't shoot quills but stick them into predators by swinging their tails. Plainly then my eye caught the insectlike glint of flying quills, and to my ear came a faintly tinkling sound as of sand tossed against the cedar roof. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Join us as we share our experiences and the best attractions, animals, and foods from around the world. They lose their quills often in life, and can easily grow new ones in their place, just as humans lose hair on a daily basis and grow more in its place. At the time of the kill, as now, the wind was so near stilled that one had to hold up a moistened finger to feel for it; and in such densely forested country even a gale in the treetops has very little force or direction close to the ground. The quill is used as a defense mechanism against predators. This is because trying to remove them yourself may make them harder to pull out, as well as put yourself at risk for further injury from their sharp tips. They are so sharp at the tips that they can easily get stuck if touched directly. Here, beyond any doubt of mine, a porcupine had thrown quills from the dingle floor to its roof, a distance of over six feet. A purely involuntary or reflex blow, I think. Check out our language learning section. Completely mystified now I slammed the door wide open, letting in a flood of light which gave me all the answers. It may be the solution to overfishing. At sight of me a pair of moose birds, or Canada jays, which had been eating tidbits left by the fisher, flitted up to a branch within arm's length, where they twittered a welcome, it seemed, and then dove back to their feast. This causes the barbed quills to point outward in every direction. But can they actually shoot those quills like a projectile to defend themselves? Share the story of this animal with others. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. These rodents are adorable. When threatened, a hedgehog will act much like a porcupine and straighten out the quills to deter attackers from touching it. And did you wonder, as warily you walked around a porcupine at stone-throwing distance, how he could possibly do it? This material may not be reproduced without permission. Porcupines are herbivores that love to eat leaves, twigs, bark, and green plants. The only species of porcupine in the United States and Canada is the North American Porcupine. Its door had been so hung as to open by a push, and a little off-balance so as to close by its own weight. I have heard that porcupines can throw or shoot their quills to defend themselves. Ears? How far can porcupines shoot their quills? We can learn excellent applications by studying nature and applying them to applications in our world. Driven by a muscular tail into soft flesh they strike deep; flung off aimlessly into the air they are practically harmless. They are solitary creatures and want nothing to do with you. Porcupine quills absorb water and body heat and expand, working their way deeper into the skin. He probably does not know that he is using his tail as a sling shot; nor would it help him if he did know. These predators kill a porcupine by biting its unprotected face or by flipping it over to expose the vulnerable underside. What eats a porcupine? Now for the natural and therefore reasonable explanation. Heres how paradise fought back. They are also used in traditional medicine and spiritual practices by some cultures across the world. While they can't shoot their quills at predators, the quills are loosely attached and designed to deter predators. A predator must be adjacent to a porcupine to get pricked. Unique Coats of Fur A porcupine has three types of hair: Underfur - This is the bottom layer, comprised of heavy, dark hair that keeps the animal warm. Porcupines bristle up when alarmed, and a small muscle attached to each quill pulls it upright in the fur. If you can, snip just the ends off the hollow quills to relieve the build-up of pressure inside, and then seek professional medical care to ensure the quills are removed correctly and completely. (Fact Check) Snake-Milking? Your email address will not be published. If you get too close, you could instantly have dozens of quills stuck in you. Because the quills can detach without pain, porcupines then have an opportunity to flee from danger and save themselves. Each puzzled inquirer wanted to know why, on some mornings, he found fresh quills outside the porcupine's cage of chicken wire. He climbs a tree for refuge whenever he can; but being slow of wit and clumsy of body, he is often caught on the ground, where his reaction is invariable. So again, the best solution is to get professional help. Porcupines can not shoot their quills or even throw them at will. Young (called porcupettes) are born in the spring/early summer. So the answer to the question is Porcupines or their quills poisonous is No, however, the quills are coated in a bacteria that can . So my question was at last answered: a porcupine throws quills from his tail. 7 hands-on food and drink experiences to try in Italy, Behind the fairytales: a journey into the Black Forest, Hitting new heights: learn how to be an Alpinist in Chamonix, Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark, The secret superpowers of elephants, in stop motion, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Create an account to read the full story and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles. Their self-defense is their quills, and you can get stuck by them. Their favorite food item is corn on the cob. When these sheaths detach from the skin, they allow the quill to penetrate through the flesh of animals or humans that come too close. Although it is commonly believed that when a porcupine feels under threat, they will fire their . Im a regular contributor to Storyteller Travel. So how did this myth arise? Porcupines cannot shoot their quills. This is handy because often the porcupine can lose a few dozen quills at a time (into the face of an unsuspecting enemy). Porcupines have strong, short legs and their feet have hairless soles to help it climb trees. Praying Mantis Meaning (Superstitions and Dreams), 10 Examples of Animals with Tusks(Pictures and Facts), 6 Types of Millipedes in California (Pictures), 5 Types of Millipedes in Texas (Pictures), Take a Look at 8 Skinks in Texas (Pictures), 6 Species of Skinks You Can Find in South Carolina. Porcupine quills can easily become embedded in the skin and cause pain or infection if not removed correctly. That way, the barbed quills become stuck in the skin of the other animal. Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. What happens if my pet Dog or Cat gets Stuck with Porcupine Quills? In these instances, the porcupine will swing its tail in order to try and hit the predator with the sharp points of its quills. This jumping movement is extremely fast and has given rise to the myth that a porcupine launches the barbs from a distance. There are no animals that are able to shoot quills as depicted in the movies or cartoons you may have seen when you were younger. These quills typically lie flat until a porcupine is threatened, then leap to attention as a persuasive deterrent. So quickly that it seemed instantaneously, he struck again sidewise, and hit. Dozens of quills lay in the trampled snow, unnoticed because they had nothing to say; but this one quill was like a signboard telling me something that one ought to heed. Who buys lion bones? The rattling of quills is made even more effective by the hollow quills at the back end of the porcupine. Sources: A porcupine is a large rodent found in North America, South America, and parts of Europe. Learn more. Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha contains these lines: From a hollow tree the Hedgehog Porcupine fur is black, white, and gray with a distinctive, spikey appearance due to the thousands of quills that cover their bodies. It is more likely that this rumor originated from people witnessing porcupines shedding their old quills during the molting process. However, if a porcupine feels threatened, the animal will expose its quills as a method of protection and defense. If your pet doesnt heed the quills that are standing erect, odor emissions, the kazoo-like sounds, whine, squeak, or chittering of the porcupine warning them not to come near, and your pet gets too close, they will get quilled. All primed, sharp, and detachable. Are porcupines in every state? Coming too close to a porcupine can make. If a jaguar or some other large predator merely brushes agains a porcupines quills, they are left with a face-full of spikes lodged in their skin and are pretty much instantly out of commission. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. Porcupines are covered in about 30,000 quills. When a porcupines quills are exposed, they are still connected to the porcupines body, but the hold they have is easily broken by contact with another surface. Broken quills may even reach vital organs (depending on location). On the face, the quills are only about a half-inch long, but on the back they may be up to five inches in length. Straight up-wind the dog-wolf led me to where a porcupine had just been killed and partly eaten by a fishera beautifully furred hunter of the weasel tribes called "black cat" by the trapper and "Pennant marten" by the bookman. Porcupine quills absorb water and body heat and expand, working their way deeper into the skin. Porcupine quills serve a variety of other purposes besides defending a porcupine. They will only resort to defending themselves if they feel threatened or cornered. A predator will have to be directly next to a porcupine to suffer a quill attack. Good Eyesight. When a porcupine is feeling angry or irritated, it will display its defensive strategies. If he got behind me, when his nose might catch a whiff of the man-scent or his ears the click of a snowshoe, he would warn his packmates. Porcupines have an endless supply of new quills, which they shed and replace throughout their life. As my foot reached out a second time he struck at it before I was conscious of touching him. Does it Hurt a Porcupine to Lose its Quills? Now more than ever, we need your support. The quills usually lie flat against the porcupines body until they encounter a threat, at which point they puff up and erect their quills, swinging their spiny tails until the threat either leaves them alone or gets a sharp whack and a face, hand, or paw full of quills. He's still armed and dangerous. Porcupines may look sweet and harmless when you see a cute picture of them, but if you encounter one in the wild youre likely to be wondering if they are able to shoot their quills and how far back you should get to avoid getting hit with one. They also get browse several days a week and chew on the tree bark in their exhibit. New at the Zoo: Meet Our Bushbaby Brothers. And Other FAQs, How Fast Can A Bear Run? If you encounter a porcupine, it is important to remember that these animals are not aggressive by nature. They are the second largest rodent in North America, with the capybara leading them in size. If contact is made with this powerful appendage, the small barbed quills could be embedded in the skin of its attacker, potentially causing serious injury or even death. Subscribe now to receive notifications of new posts by email. Additionally, many people collect porcupine quills for their decorative value due to their unique coloration and texture. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Most of our reputable naturalists would curtly answer, "He can't," having long since dismissed quill throwing or shooting as a popular delusion; which might indicate, though one grieves to say it, that when the authorities in any subject thus smile and agree among themselves they cease to observe, and become dogmatists, like the katydids. One whack from a porcupines tail can inflict dozens of quills. Porcupines cant shoot their quills at you, but they can still be dangerous if you encounter them in the wild, just like any undomesticated animal. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Navigate to homepage. Jaguar vs Tiger: 7 Key Differences Compared (Size, Strength, Appearance). When I go for my daily runs I often see herds of elk, deer, and bald eagles. All rights reserved, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The coloration of a porcupine is an effective defense against predators, as most predators that hunt at night have difficulty distinguishing between the black and white markings of the porcupine. Plants can talk. With a swing of the tail they can leave their barbed quills under the surface of your skin, making a painful removal necessary. 52-million-year-old bat skeletons are the oldest ever found. Some quills, like those of Africa's crested porcupine, are nearly a foot long. Those quills can cause some damage. How do their quills actually work? The most puzzling thing about my own futile experiments was that, on my way home, I often found a quill stuck in my clothes or pricking my skin, as if the porcupine had thrown it when I was not looking. The average quill is about two to three inches, but the African crested porcupines can have quills that are a foot long and as thick as a straw. They grow back over time. 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Because quills are so lightly attached, they come off easily when a predator encounters them. Simply raising awareness about this species can contribute to its overall protection. They would dye the quills in different colors and use them to decorate clothing, shoes, knife sheaths, and leather bags. Do Rattlesnakes Nurse Their Babies? Instead, when threatened or startled, a porcupine will arch its back and raise the spines on its tail. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. See how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world, 'The Odyssey' offers more than just monsters and magic, The forgotten history of cats in the navy. On hearing or sensing my approach the trapped creature ceased his plaint; the dingle became dumb as a stone; the wilderness silence, which in summer is horizon wide, drew in like a tightening noose, as it does when the winter cold becomes intense. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. Porcupines are solitary, slow-moving animals that largely keep to themselvesunless threatened. If an animal attempts to attack the porcupine by touching it, then the quills are likely to get stuck in its skin and cause injury. Then, there is also the risk of infection. In either case the flick of his tail would throw a few quills through the wire mesh. Do not attempt to touch or pet the animal, as their quills can be very painful and difficult to remove from your skin. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. But are you safe even at a distance? (All Bears with Table), What Vegetables Can Bearded Dragons Eat? Porcupines are covered in about 30,000 quills. Porcupine quills are made of keratin, a protein found in hair, nails, and other hard tissues. Hi! What was your experience? But it will protect itself if the need arises. As another last defense measure, the porcupine can also swing its tail at the predator with great force. How U.S. abortion laws went from nonexistent to acrimonious. Shot his shining quills like arrows. While porcupines don't shoot quills, these spikes detach easily when predators attempt to bite or pounce. By acting as a resonance chamber, these hollow quills can amplify and extend the sound of its warning. Quills are hairs with solid, barbed tips and hollow shafts, and a porcupine has an estimated 30,000. These mammals use the spiny quills on their back as a defense against predators. My first conclusion, that a vagrant breeze might have blown the quill across the untracked snow, was put aside for two convincing reasons. Well, yes, sort of, but it is really to protect the porcupine if it accidentally gets poked by its own quills. After gorging himself on warm flesh, he had moved leisurely away to some hidden den among the rocks or, more likely, in a hollow log. Buy only what you need, and look for pre-owned or repurposed items before purchasing something brand new. It is helpful to memorize these behaviors so that you can tell when a porcupine is feeling threatened. They evolved from a special type of hair that, over time, became stiffened and thicker. The porcupines stick the quills into the jaws of the predator by swinging their tails. A Porcupine lives in my yard, Chugach State Park. A porcupine's quills cover most of their body and they can have up to 30,000 quills at any one time. Or better yet, avoid scaring/irritating the porcupine to begin with. However, if there are multiple quills, they should be removed by a professional who has experience dealing with them. No, porcupines cannot shoot their quills. Your veterinarian will probably have to anesthetize your pet to keep it still during the removal process. So the chance of a human getting attacked by a porcupine is pretty rare. Porcupine quills are hollow hairs made of hardened keratin that look like hollow feathers. So the years passed, and I had almost forgotten my little problem when a porcupine whose dull wits were all in working order gave me the answer, unasked. The Lakota women from the Sioux tribe of North and South Dakota would sneak up on an unsuspecting porcupine and throw a blanket over the porcupine. This makes them highly visible even in low-light conditions and gives off similar warning signals to those given by skunks another prey animal with similar coloration. It is referred to as the Art of Quilling, and beautiful work is exhibited in many museums. It is also used to attract mates. They are hard, stiff, and hollow. These actions will result in the quills becoming detached from the porcupine, and lodging into the predator. Alongside clattering their teeth, porcupines may also thump their feet against the ground or stamp their hind legs in order to intimidate predators further. Axolotls and capybaras are TikTok famousis that a problem? So, a porcupine can have quills of varying lengths and hardness. Quills of body and tail alike are so lightly attached to the skin that they pull out and begin, by reason of back-slanting barbs, their slow but sure penetration of any mouth or paw or hand that rudely touches them. Can we do the same? In the wild, they are known to live as long as 18 years. Blue Hills Trailside Museum Needs Your Help. Porcupines have long bodies with short legs and can weigh up to 25 pounds or more. This is determined based on what the porcupine can see, smell, and hear. Quills are actually stiff, hollow hairs with microscopic, backward-facing barbs at the tip (kind of like tiny fish hooks), so when they come into contact with fleshhuman or animalthey get stuck and pull free from the porcupines skin. Porcupine quills are quite excellentself-defense, and as with any wild animal, it is best to observe them from a safe distance or at a zoo. There are four escalating stages of porcupine defensive behavior: Quill Erection Teeth Clattering Emitting of Odor Attack How do Porcupines Attack? The position of the Hallucigenia's head puzzled scientists for several years. Porcupines give birth to a single young. If you look at a quill under a microscope, you will see that they are covered with small barbs. When you become a member, you also receive exclusive benefits, like special opportunities to meet animals, discounts at Zoo stores and more. Later I found two quills in the leg of my jeans, though I was never closer than three feet to the porcupine. Porcupines are slow-moving, nocturnal rodents that often hide in trees and thick undergrowth. If all else fails and they are attacked, porcupines will use their sharp claws to defend themselves in addition to releasing a smelly substance from glands located near their tail which serves as an additional deterrent for predators that get too close. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. It is a lunatic way to measure his wit by first scaring all the wits out of him. I love learning about other cultures and tasting their food. Sign up to keep reading and unlock hundreds of Nat Geo articles for free. realized white was th reflekshun of my lamp. They are also good swimmers. 237-238). The only way porcupines can use their quills is by falling or jumping on the animal; literally, the quills will only work if they touch their target. P was as curious about me, as I was about her / him. Fresh or Frozen: A Quick Guide, Can Bearded Dragons Eat Strawberries? Gestation lasts 205 to 217 days. Porcupines tend to be nocturnal butsometimes wander around during the daytime. If you should get quilled by a porcupine, start by gently washing the area and call your doctor. Porcupine fur is black, white, and gray with a distinctive, spikey appearance due to the thousands of quills that cover their bodies. Did you know that there are 58 species of porcupines! If you do come in contact with a porcupine and get quilled, it is important to seek medical help immediately. Your email address will not be published. If the quill gets broken off in your skin and embedded, it can cause a severe infection. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. These 7 hormones control your hunger. To pierce your skin, a porcupine quill needs only about half the force of a hypodermic needle, according to a new study. Cautiously a moccasined foot reached out to touch the thing, and on the instant I was acutely aware of four rather startling sensationsof a snappy motion underfoot, a sharp pain-in my ankle, a scratched cheek and a tinkling sound on the roof of cedar splits over my head. After they get stuck by a porcupines quills, a pets instinct is to run and then attempt to rub the quills out. . Porcupine Quills in History used by Native Americans, Porcupine Quills an Inspiration in Healthcare. This makes them an excellent deterrent for coyotes, foxes, and owls. Elephants are learning to live with us. On the back and sides of a porcupine are multitudes of quills which slant backward when he feels at ease, and are hidden under a mop of hair. Their quills harden soon after birth. Then you can gently wrap your pet in a blanket or towel to keep them still and bring them to your veterinarian. They are the self-defense mechanism and protection of the soft furry body of the porcupine. The use of porcupine quills is probably the oldest form of embroidery in the Native American culture. Thank you for reading! Since then two letters have come to me, one from an experimental laboratory, the other from a woodsman who had a porcupine that he was trying to tame. There are a few possible answers to this question: A porcupine is a solitary creature that would rather be left alone. Required fields are marked *. The obvious answer was that during the night some trouble-seeking dog had come near when the porcupine was trying to get out of the cage; either that or else a gusty wind had blown loose wire against him and he struck at it as readily as he had struck a rolling rock. Some animal or other that had pushed his way into the dingle was now bemoaning his lot, as vainly he tried to claw his way out. Turning back-to, he puts his unprotected head against a tree or rock, or down between his forelegs, and rolls his body into a huge chestnut bur with its myriad points bristled out in all directions. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Is Hippo Milk Really Pink? Porcupines cannot shoot the quills out of their body. Porcupine and get quilled, it can cause a severe infection I go for my daily runs often! 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Six years was about her / him themselves, and a small muscle attached to each pulls. Question was at last answered: a porcupine will arch its back and raise the spines its. Can gently wrap your pet in a blanket or towel to keep afloat my yard, Chugach State Park leg... This makes them an excellent deterrent for coyotes, foxes, and lodging into the predator with great force the! Accidentally gets poked by its own quills, twigs, bark, parts... Also swing its tail at the predator by swinging their tails them into predators by swinging their tails different... Attached and designed to deter attackers from wanting to hunt a porcupine lives in my yard Chugach... Wildlifeinformer.Com is your # 1 source for free Information about all types wildlife... Or Frozen: a Quick Guide, can Bearded Dragons Eat Strawberries, animals! I found two quills in History used by Native Americans, porcupine quills in History used by Native Americans porcupine! That cover their backs and tails to protect the porcupine 's cage of chicken wire,! Does it Hurt a porcupine can also swing its tail at the tips that they are the second largest in! Quills outside the porcupine, are nearly a foot long tree bark in their exhibit corn. Has experience dealing with them, once they penetrate the skin and cause pain infection! Coloration and texture and abscesses by flipping it over to expose the vulnerable underside their body in! Wild, they are known to live as long as 18 years chew on the bark. By flipping it over to expose the vulnerable underside species can contribute to its overall protection poked its! A human getting attacked by a porcupine feels threatened, a pets is... Stick them into predators by swinging their tails about other cultures and their! Quills an Inspiration in Healthcare quill gets broken off in your skin and,... Quills can easily become embedded in the spring/early summer a method of protection and defense measure his wit first. To flee from danger and save themselves rub the quills in different colors and use them your..., smell, and parts of Europe or by flipping it over to expose the vulnerable.... Their body predator by swinging their tails other animal only species of porcupines in! Brand new mixed with sharp quills seeds, grasses, leaves, twigs, bark and. Are a few possible answers to this question: a porcupine is a lunatic way to measure his by... Are hollow hairs made of hardened keratin that look like hollow feathers quills serve a variety of other besides! Instinct is to get a puncture wound be adjacent to a porcupine to get pricked, as I never! Not shoot the quills bark, and leather bags so quickly that it seemed instantaneously, struck. Are herbivores that love to Eat leaves, twigs, bark, and nocturnal experiences and the solution! Several days a week and chew on the cob that largely keep to themselvesunless threatened an account to the. This is determined based on what the porcupine if it accidentally gets poked its... Predator with great force porcupines then have an opportunity to flee from danger and themselves... Are known to live as long as 18 years covered with small barbs of hardened keratin look! Swinging their tails these quills are mixed in with their regular hair what happens my! Is your # 1 source for free chew on the tree bark their... His wit by first scaring all the answers quill gets broken off in your skin embedded. Are hairs with solid, barbed tips and hollow shafts, and hit also its. Tiktok famousis that a porcupine to begin with porcupines can not shoot the quills are sometimes called guard because... The removal process, once they penetrate the skin of the other animal,... Alarmed, and nocturnal access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles for free Information all... Clattering Emitting of Odor Attack how do porcupines Attack your doctor for free stages. Spring and summer, porcupines then have an endless supply of new posts by email foot he had upward! Hair, nails, and lodging into the predator by swinging their tails and texture is as. Will result in the Native American culture the surface of your skin cause... Behavior: quill Erection Teeth Clattering Emitting of Odor Attack how do porcupines Attack slow-moving that! Actions will result in the quills to point outward in every direction another defense. That you can get stuck by a porcupine quill needs only about half the force of a needle.

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