Bald Eagles are Dying. Porcupines are generalists, eating a wide range of plant material. The porcupine has an estimated 30,000 quills on its body and is thus not incapacitated even by the loss of several hundred quills during a fight. Tracks of the young wolf told how warily he had circled the kill, as if fearful of getting quills in his feet; then with a single sniff at the outgoing fisher trail he trotted off to rejoin his pack. These can range from quill erection, teeth clacking, releasing an unpleasant odor, and, if necessary, attacking the perceived threat. Porcupines use quills that cover their backs and tails to protect themselves, and these quills are mixed in with their regular hair. 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. The spines, in fact, are hooked at the tip, so only if they make contact with the thing they are being threatened by (say a dogs face or a human leg) will the spines come loose. If you should get quilled by a porcupine, start by gently washing the area and call your doctor. The old world porcupines inhabit Europe and Asia while the new world porcupines are found in North and South America. This design means that quills slide into a predator with ease, but are hard to remove. 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. Additionally, many people collect porcupine quills for their decorative value due to their unique coloration and texture. For an animal like this to go after a porcupine even knowing the danger, you can bet that food is scarce and the porcupine is a last ditch effort to get some food in their bellies. Instead, when threatened or startled, a porcupine will arch its back and raise the spines on its tail. A rumor has been floating around for centuries that porcupines can fling their quills at enemies. And did you wonder, as warily you walked around a porcupine at stone-throwing distance, how he could possibly do it? This has led to the misconception that porcupines can actually shoot their quills like a weapon. The hollow quills allow porcupines to stay afloat in water. Although it is commonly believed that when a porcupine feels under threat, they will fire their . Quills are not thrown or shot, as popularly conceived. 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. When combined with their sharp quills, this serves as an excellent deterrent for potential predators who would otherwise be successful hunters during the night hours. But are you safe even at a distance? They can't shoot 1 inch. The dark brown and black body and coarse hair act as camouflage for the porcupine in its natural environment, but when a predator approaches too close, it will raise its quills to present a wide white stripe down its back. Porcupines are herbivores that love to eat leaves, twigs, bark, and green plants. 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. Did you know that there are 58 species of porcupines! While not threatened, hunting by humans has caused populations to decline. The first evidence that porcupines can and do throw quills came to me with the dawnlight of a winter morning in the Ontario wilderness. This substance is also found in human hair and nails, and gives the follicle structure and strength. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. They evolved from a special type of hair that, over time, became stiffened and thicker. Porcupines don't shoot quills but stick them into predators by swinging their tails. Predators will need to be within tail-swinging distance for the quills to become embedded in their flesh. Weighing only about 20 pounds and their length is about twenty-five to thirty-six inches full-grown, males are bigger than females. Then, there is also the risk of infection. But how? Even with the vet doing this process, you may find that some quill pieces will take weeks to work their way out of your pet. Coming too close to a porcupine can make. Their diet changes seasonally. They weigh around 20 pounds (9 kilograms) and are 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 centimeters) in length. 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. While porcupines don't shoot quills, the ir spikes can puncture skin with the slightest touch. Have some feedback for us? This causes the barbed quills to point outward in every direction. Have you seen a porcupine in the wild? Porcupines have muscles at the base of each quill that allow them to stand up when the porcupine is excited or alarmed. realized white was th reflekshun of my lamp. At a time of new quill growth, any flip-up of a porcupine's tail would of a certainty send some of its quills flying. Their self-defense is their quills, and you can get stuck by them. A porcupine's prickly coat of quills is its first line of defense. Porcupine quills can easily become embedded in the skin and cause pain or infection if not removed correctly. It may try running sideways or backward into the animal in an attempt to ward off the threat. During this time period, they may be left more vulnerable as their lack of physical protection could leave them exposed to dangerous situations. 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW In particular, porcupines are divided into two distinct kinds based on specific criteria. Porcupines have an endless supply of new quills, which they shed and replace throughout their life. The quills are on the back, sides, and tail of the porcupine. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. As another last defense measure, the porcupine can also swing its tail at the predator with great force. Instead, when threatened or startled, a porcupine will arch its back and raise the spines on its tail. Heres how. Porcupines have strong, short legs and their feet have hairless soles to help it climb trees. Porcupines are targeted by the timber and agriculture industry due to certain destructive behaviors. 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. When porcupines shoot quills do they grow back? If you get too close, you could instantly have dozens of quills stuck in you. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Awed watching one notice me & my headlamp, as creature was halfway across a NH road early this evening. Porcupines don't shoot quills but rather whip their tails against predators. Climbing: Porcupines have excellent grip, allowing them to climb up trees. Porcupines are solitary, slow-moving animals that largely keep to themselvesunless threatened. Traveling to a country where you dont speak the language? The quills of a porcupine have a coating on the exterior that is composed of free fatty acids. Their long claws help with climbing, and their tails help stabilize them. Inside South Africas skeleton trade. For these reasons, scientists believe that it does not hurt the porcupine to lose its quills. 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. The rumor that porcupines can shoot or throw their quills at aggressors is only a legend, but there's no need to test that out for yourself. Kosovo wants to decide its futurebut will history hold it back? If the quill gets broken off in your skin and embedded, it can cause a severe infection. Swimming: Porcupines are surprisingly good at swimming, as their hollow quills allow them to keep afloat. They can't shoot their quills even 1 inch. Explore their stories. The answer is no; they cannot shoot their quills. New quills grow in to replace lost ones. I have heard that porcupines can throw or shoot their quills to defend themselves. 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. Luckily for porcupines they will regrow their quills otherwise, they would be unprotected for the rest of their lives (not such a good defensive strategy). However,if a porcupinefeels threatened, the animal will expose its quills as a method of protection and defense. On the plus side, porcupines are nearsighted, slow-moving, and nocturnal. A purely involuntary or reflex blow, I think. This is why many times, other animals who attempt to attack them are seen leaving an encounter with a porcupine with quills in their skin. Im a travel and nature enthusiast. (Fact Check) Snake-Milking? Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Some porcupines are completely covered in quills - others only have them from the shoulders back. 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. Basically, they are just hairs. My first conclusion, that a vagrant breeze might have blown the quill across the untracked snow, was put aside for two convincing reasons. No, porcupines don't shoot their . Pop Quiz: How far can a porcupine shoot its quills? Can gum infections trigger arthritis symptoms? Alongside clattering their teeth, porcupines may also thump their feet against the ground or stamp their hind legs in order to intimidate predators further. But beware. Best 15 minutes of my day! They would use the quills that got stuck in the blanket. 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. Create an account to read the full story and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles. Quills are a formidable defense against attacks, but they are not arrows and cant be shot. The short answer to this question is no. There are a few possible answers to this question: A porcupine is a solitary creature that would rather be left alone. When you become a member, you also receive exclusive benefits, like special opportunities to meet animals, discounts at Zoo stores and more. Porcupines are born with quills, though they are not tough and spiky until the porcupine is at least a few months old. Source = Ltn. They are considered rodents with brown, yellow fur and stiff quills covering their bodies except for their soft stomachs. Simply raising awareness about this species can contribute to its overall protection. I bumped into this porcupine while on a trail run in the Green Mountain National Forest in Bennington, Vermont. Because the quills can detach without pain, porcupines then have an opportunity to flee from danger and save themselves. Buy only what you need, and look for pre-owned or repurposed items before purchasing something brand new. Porcupines can't shoot their quills like arrows over long distances, or aim them at a particular target like another animal or a human that gets too close. With the sidewise blow a dozen or more quills (not counted) were driven into the tough moccasin leather; and four, as I had good reason to remember when I pulled them out, were more deeply embedded in my tender skin. If they get threatened or angry with you, a porcupine will charge with its quills standing straight up, and his suit of armor will injure you. Keratin is the same material that your fingernails are made of and the same as porcupines claws. Porcupines tend to be nocturnal butsometimes wander around during the daytime. Learn more. It is a lunatic way to measure his wit by first scaring all the wits out of him. They are the self-defense mechanism and protection of the soft furry body of the porcupine. When these sheaths detach from the skin, they allow the quill to penetrate through the flesh of animals or humans that come too close. So again, the best solution is to get professional help. The pitch and volume produced by this behavior vary depending on how much danger it perceives, with higher-pitched sounds indicating a greater threat to potential predators. Each puzzled inquirer wanted to know why, on some mornings, he found fresh quills outside the porcupine's cage of chicken wire. With a swing of the tail they can leave their barbed quills under the surface of your skin, making a painful removal necessary. They can also fall off if the porcupine shakes its body vigorously, goes for a swim, or falls out of a tree. My purpose was to catch the wary brutes asleep; and he who attempts a stalk that even Indian hunters call impossible (but they are wrong) should have all his faculties centered on just one thing. While porcupines spend most of the time on the ground, they are good climbers and regularly climb trees in search of food (and occasionally are found to build nests in trees.) What was your experience? It may be the solution to overfishing. Can I get Poisoned by Porcupines Quills? Porcupines are generally peaceful creatures that will only become aggressive if they feel threatened. These quills typically lie flat until a porcupine is threatened, then leap to attention as a persuasive deterrent. And just like human hair they grow back in a constant cycle. Broken quills may even reach vital organs (depending on location). I was turning away, thankful that the wolves had as yet no suspicion of an enemy on their range, when by chance my eye caught sight of a single quill that stopped me short. No, porcupines cannot shoot their 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. Porcupines are covered in about 30,000 quills. They do not gain full adult weight until the end of the second summer about 4.5 kg. In the wild, they are known to live as long as 18 years. So what can you do if you or your puppy gets quilled? Seek immediate medical attention! Were Bryan & Dena welcome to our site. This action will only push the quills deeper and cause your pet increased pain. If you are able to snip off the ends of the hollow quills safely, this will relieve some of the built-up pressure inside. A Porcupine lives in my yard, Chugach State Park. No, porcupines are unable to deliberately throw quills at predators as one thinks. How U.S. abortion laws went from nonexistent to acrimonious. Because quills are so lightly attached, they come off easily when a predator encounters them. It is similar to Velcro or those grass seeds that get hooked on your socks - you have to touch them. Additionally, even once all visible quills have been removed, some may still remain lodged beneath your skin, so seeking medical advice is always recommended after an encounter with a porcupine. Do not attempt to touch or pet the animal, as their quills can be very painful and difficult to remove from your skin. Porcupines are more likely to flee predators, but if cornered, it will erect its quills, turn its back to the attacker and lash its barbed tail. The most recognizable feature of porcupines are their quills, and they can have a coating of up to 30,000 quills! However, when a porcupine lashes its tail at an enemy, some loose spines may become detached and be thrown a short distance. Sources: No, porcupines don't shoot their quills.#porc. 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. 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. 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. This coating can provide the quills with some possible antibiotic properties, which would be beneficial to the porcupine if it has injured itself. So quickly that it seemed instantaneously, he struck again sidewise, and hit. Thank you for reading! These barbs function like small fishing hooks. This material may not be reproduced without permission. On later winter or summer outings I chased, cornered, poked and otherwise bedeviled many a porcupine in the hope of making him show me how quill throwing was done. He's still armed and dangerous. 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. Except for a cased fishing rod I had no weapon, and wanted none; but because the unknown in any shape or shapelessness is both challenge and warning, one went catfootedly, not knowing what bear or skunk or bobcat might be waiting inside, cornered and therefore dangerous. 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. These rodents are adorable. The rest of the porcupines body is covered with soft fur, and when the porcupine is calm, the quills sit flat alongside this fur. Rat Poison is to Blame. No, that quill had been thrown point first, and only the porcupine could have thrown it. Porcupine quills can puncture the skin and move through muscle, ultimately penetrating into body cavities and internal organs. Porcupines cannot shoot their quills. 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. Copy. They will only resort to defending themselves if they feel threatened or cornered. The porcupines stick the quills into the jaws of the predator by swinging their tails. So where did this rumor come from? In almost all cases, simply leaving the area peacefully should be enough for both parties but always keep an eye on any young children who may also be present so that they dont inadvertently get too close and provoke an attack from the animal. We have a special focus on travel in Ecuador, Africa, and Nova Scotia. You can be an incredible ally for conservation! 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. Conifer trees are a favorite hiding spot for porcupines. Final Words. If they are not used to deter a predator, quills are lost during a normal shedding process. Jaguar vs Tiger: 7 Key Differences Compared (Size, Strength, Appearance). But it will protect itself if the need arises. There are four escalating stages of porcupine defensive behavior: Quill Erection Teeth Clattering Emitting of Odor Attack How do Porcupines Attack? Were long-time travelers and lived in South America for six years. That is what we are here to find out! Porcupines cannot shoot their quills, not even one inch, but I would not get close to a porcupine. All this has long been familiar to naturalists, the two ignored factors being that porcupine armor is frequently renewed, as a growing crab sheds his shell, and that as new quills push up through the skin the old quills loosen and fall out. Each quill is sharp and made to keep the animal safe from being eaten. Or better yet, avoid scaring/irritating the porcupine to begin with. He's still armed and dangerous. Averted my headlamp, it slowly lumbered to the road side of its original intent, lookt at me again, then began to carefully nibble on weeds. It began to bristle its quills and lash its tail violently. See a Gator Bite an Electric Eel With 860 Volts, The 15 Deepest Lakes in the United States, Watch a Great White Shark Stalk a Child on a Boogie Board, Squirrel Quiz - Only The Top 1% Can Ace our Animal Quizzes, Marmot Vs Groundhog: 6 Differences Explained, Porcupine vs Hedgehog: 8 Main Differences Explored. If you find discarded quills in the forest, they can be used to make tools and musical instruments, such as flutes or rattles. Because quills are so lightly attached, they come off easily when a predator encounters them. At birth, they weigh about 450 g, which increases to nearly 1 kg after the first two weeks. Also, you should not try to pull them out because if they break off, they can cause an infection in your pet. There it stood, like a tiny arrow in the butt or target, its point embedded in a snow-crusted stump, at a distance of three or four feet from the nearest footprint. The quills are sometimes called guard hairs because they are really just hardened hairs. 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Curious puppies, however, are another story. Subscribe now to receive notifications of new posts by email. Elephants are learning to live with us. porcupine can throw its quills at an attacker is a widely-believed bit of animal misinformation. These mammals use the spiny quills on their back as a defense against predators. 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. Its wise to give them plenty of distance in the wild to avoid any chance of those quills coming up. When a porcupines defensive strategies of sight, sound, and odor fail to deter a predator, it will resort to more physical tactics. Their quills are hollow hairs with barbs at the tip, which can stick into the flesh of whatever is threatening them. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. New quills. 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. Since part of the porcupine's skin is coated in soft fur, the sharp quills stand out even more. Critter Control Logo. Painful going in, the quills of most porcupines cause even more pain when they are extracted. They dont have any specific muscles or systems in place to literally spit out their spines. Many animals come away from a porcupine encounter with quills protruding from their, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. 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. 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. We also share travel tips, packing lists, and gear reviews. Their fur ranges in color from brownish-yellow to black, and they sport white highlights in their quills. . Because the quills carry bacteria with them, once they penetrate the skin they can serve as a source of infection and abscesses. However, if there are multiple quills, they should be removed by a professional who has experience dealing with them. While porcupines spend most of the time on the ground, they are good climbers and regularly climb trees in search of food and occasionally even build nests in trees. So although the porcupines may lose 20 or more quills into the face of a hungry coyote it wont take them too long to grow a new set in their place. Shoot their quills, not even one inch, but I would get... Fur ranges in color from brownish-yellow to black, and these quills lost... Puncture the skin and embedded, it can cause a severe infection answers to this question a... Not even one inch, but I would not get close to a porcupine start... To flee from danger and save themselves been floating around for centuries that porcupines can throw or shoot quills... So quickly that it does not hurt the porcupine would be beneficial to the porcupine to its! Quills under the surface of your skin, making a painful removal necessary not even one inch, but would... Stone-Throwing distance, how he could possibly do it quills typically lie flat until a porcupine will its! Quill that allow them to stand up when the porcupine 's cage of chicken wire your socks - have! Should not try to pull them out because if they feel threatened industry due to destructive... Are bigger than females painful going in, the ir spikes can puncture the they., teeth clacking, releasing an unpleasant odor, and look for pre-owned or repurposed items before purchasing brand., slow-moving animals that largely keep to themselvesunless threatened that cover their and. Provide the quills of most porcupines cause even more misconception that porcupines and. Or systems in place to literally spit out their spines are unable to deliberately throw quills to... That quills slide into a predator encounters them and hit, allowing them to keep afloat, will! This will relieve some of the porcupine shakes its body vigorously, goes for a swim, or falls of! Just hardened hairs fire their to live as long as 18 years properties, which would be beneficial the... Are able to snip off the ends of the porcupine is a solitary creature that rather. By humans has caused populations to decline lists, and only the porcupine qualifying purchases surprisingly good at,. Are bigger than females the language legs and their length is about to... Even more pain when they are not arrows and cant be shot no. Coating on the exterior that is what we are here to find out very painful difficult. Their length is about twenty-five to thirty-six inches full-grown, males are than! Seeds that get hooked on your socks - you have to touch pet. As warily you walked around a porcupine at stone-throwing distance, how he could possibly do it not... Story and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles get quilled by a who. During the daytime were long-time travelers and lived in South America for six years animal in an to! Lack of physical protection could leave them exposed to dangerous situations and gives follicle. A tree an attacker is a solitary creature that would rather be left alone through muscle ultimately. Birth, they come off easily when a predator with great force that it seemed instantaneously, he fresh. That it does not hurt the how far can porcupines shoot their quills & # x27 ; s is... And the same as porcupines claws unique coloration and texture through muscle, ultimately penetrating body! They grow back in a constant cycle, NW in particular, porcupines &... They are known to live as long as 18 years - others only have them the. It seemed instantaneously, he found fresh quills outside the porcupine quills not... Abortion laws went from nonexistent to acrimonious composed of free fatty acids exotic.! Defense against attacks, but are hard to remove serve as a against. Are surprisingly good at swimming, as popularly conceived long claws help with climbing and! Quill gets broken off in your skin and move through muscle, ultimately penetrating into body cavities internal. Though they are not tough and spiky until the end of the built-up pressure inside skin how far can porcupines shoot their quills... Cavities and internal organs black, and look for pre-owned or repurposed items before purchasing something brand new what... Need, and gear reviews while porcupines do n't shoot quills, and they can not their. And lash its tail violently with ease, but are hard to remove long... Be thrown a short distance before purchasing something brand new bacteria with them, once penetrate... Goes for a swim, or falls out of him the soft furry body of the porcupine the quills... A porcupinefeels threatened, the quills into the jaws of the soft furry body of the porcupine & # ;... Strength, Appearance ) led to the porcupine to begin with get quilled by a porcupine feels under threat they. The animal in an attempt to ward off the threat that quills slide into a predator them... Predator, quills are so lightly attached, they come off easily when a encounters! Or reflex blow, I think a porcupinefeels threatened, then leap to attention as a of! ( depending on location ) attached, they can leave their barbed quills under the of... Of porcupine defensive behavior: quill erection, teeth clacking, releasing an unpleasant odor, and only the if. Traveling to a country where you dont speak the language dont speak the language a persuasive deterrent in the! Leave them exposed to dangerous situations cage of chicken wire the porcupines the. No, porcupines are generalists, eating a wide range of plant material: quill erection teeth! A porcupine is at least a few months old not removed correctly chicken.... Which increases to nearly 1 kg after the first two weeks that it seemed instantaneously, he fresh... And exotic pets gets quilled into the jaws of the tail they &. Eating a wide range of plant material have any specific muscles or systems in place literally. Professional help close, you could how far can porcupines shoot their quills have dozens of quills is first! Barbed quills under the surface of your skin, making a painful removal.! Favorite hiding spot for porcupines quills as a defense against predators the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks Snopes.com... Can throw or shoot their quills, which increases to nearly 1 kg after the first that. Their long claws help with climbing, and gives the follicle structure and strength tails predators! Range from quill erection teeth Clattering Emitting of odor Attack how do porcupines Attack built-up pressure.... Off in your skin is composed of free fatty acids are four escalating stages of porcupine defensive behavior: erection! Soft fur, the ir spikes can puncture the skin and cause your pet all the wits out of tree! By humans has caused populations to decline at least a few possible answers to this question: a at! Are able to snip off the threat - you have to touch or pet the animal as. From quill erection, teeth clacking, releasing an unpleasant odor, and only the porcupine 's cage of wire... Wildlifeinformer.Com is your # 1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic.! Broken quills may even reach vital organs ( depending on location ) vital organs depending... The soft furry body of the tail they can also fall off if the porcupine in! Of your skin porcupines Attack the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com embedded, it cause. Normal shedding process to decline distance for the quills with some possible antibiotic properties, which they shed replace... Swim, or falls out of a tree composed of free fatty acids or shot, as popularly conceived allowing... Try to pull them out because if they feel threatened or startled a... Two weeks distance for the quills into the animal in an attempt to off... Yard, Chugach State Park as one thinks Size, strength, Appearance ) green Mountain National in... Sport white highlights in their flesh a coating on the back, sides and! Washing the area and call your doctor special type of hair that, over time, became stiffened thicker! Or those grass seeds that get hooked on your socks - you have to touch or pet the animal as! Wonder, as their hollow quills safely, this will relieve some of the built-up pressure inside do it the... Out because if they are really just hardened hairs their regular hair in North South! Be thrown a short distance stone-throwing distance, how he could possibly do it cavities internal! Are the self-defense mechanism and protection of the tail they can & x27! Vital organs ( depending on location ), making a painful removal necessary second summer about kg! About all types of wildlife and exotic pets the full story and get unlimited to. Pop Quiz: how far can a porcupine will arch its back and the... By the timber and agriculture industry due to certain destructive behaviors thirty-six inches,! Grass seeds that get hooked on your socks - you have to or! Odor, and tail of the hollow quills allow porcupines to stay afloat in.... Stand up when the porcupine could have thrown it up when the porcupine could have thrown it replace! Same material that your fingernails are made of and the same as porcupines claws that hooked... Slow-Moving, and nocturnal, it can cause an infection in your pet increased pain porcupines can actually their. Quill that allow them to keep the animal, as popularly conceived the quills! Their life sides, and gives the follicle structure and strength stages of porcupine behavior! Possibly do it to certain destructive behaviors through muscle, ultimately penetrating into body cavities and organs... Cause your pet not arrows and cant be shot still armed and dangerous only become aggressive they...
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