The term porcupine encompasses different species of rodent mammals belonging to the suborder hystricomorphs, as well as other well-known animals such as chinchillas or guinea pigs.
There are two families of porcupine (a word used because of the characteristic spikes on the skin of this mammal), the Old World porcupines and the New World porcupines, although in any case we are talking about a mammal of nocturnal customs that does not tolerate cold temperatures well, which is why it remains in its cave during the winter.
If you want to discover more about this genuine species, in this article on our site we explain how the porcupine attacks and defends.
Characteristics of porcupine quills
The quills of the porcupine are of great importance for the defense and attack of this animal; actually the quills are modified hairs that have been covered with thick plates of keratin and are inserted into the musculature.
It has always been believed that the porcupine is capable of shooting its quills, but this is not true, although they can be released by contact or when the porcupine shakes.
An important characteristic of these quills is that when they are released they penetrate the skin of another animal very easily, however, they are really difficult to extract. Why does this happen? A group of scientists studied this phenomenon and discovered that the tip of each tine has a tiny rear-facing spike, which reduces penetration force but maximizes staying power.
How does the porcupine defend itself?
When the porcupine feels threatened it curls up on its belly and leaves its quills bristling and facing outwards, which are its best defense mechanism since when they penetrate the skin of another animal they are very painful and can cause multiple infections
But in addition, when the porcupine adopts this posture it also moves its body and makes it tremble voluntarily, which allows the quills to collide with each other, emitting a threatening metallic sound.
How does the porcupine attack?
As we have seen previously, the belief that the porcupine can shoot its quills is false, since these can be released but they do so through other mechanisms such as contact.
When the porcupine attacks it does moving its tail to strike and crash its quills against its predator, these are not poisonous but they do carry the danger of being able to infect the tissue in which they penetrate.
