Science Fact Finder | The Animal World - How Many Quills Does A Porcupine Have?

How many quills does a porcupine have?

The average porcupine has about 30,000 quills or specialized hairs, which it uses as a defensive weapon. The quills are comparable in hardness and flexibility to slivers of celluloid (a type of plastic, often used to make movie film) and so sharply pointed they can penetrate any animal's skin. In addition, the quill tips consist of tiny barbs (sharp points similar to arrows), which make the quills very hard to remove. The quills that do the most damage are the short ones that line the porcupine's muscular tail.

If threatened, a porcupine attacks by moving backward or sideways into the aggressor. Numerous quills, which easily pull loose from the porcupine, become lodged in the aggressor's skin. Every time the pierced animal moves, the barbs at the end of the quills penetrate further into its body. Often, the quills pierce vital organs and the animal dies. Within a few...

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