And did you wonder, as warily you walked around a porcupine at stone-throwing distance, how he could possibly do it? Contrary to popular belief though a porcupine cant throw their spines. How do their quills actually work? Porcupines cannot shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills do detach easily when touched. What eats a porcupine? The first evidence that porcupines can and do throw quills came to me with the dawnlight of a winter morning in the Ontario wilderness. Who buys lion bones? There is generally one porcupette per littertwins are rare. While porcupines don't shoot quills, these spikes detach easily when predators attempt to bite or pounce. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. How far can porcupines shoot their quills? 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. With his back turned and eyes to the ground he cannot aim his quills or even see whither they go. 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. Those quills can cause some damage. (All Bears with Table), What Vegetables Can Bearded Dragons Eat? One porcupine can have about 30,000 quills spread over its back and on the end of its tail. They can't shoot their quills even 1 inch. I am a freelance writer with 22 years of experience. 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. 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. Porcupine quills were frequently used in Native Americans headdresses and decorative clothing. Driven by a muscular tail into soft flesh they strike deep; flung off aimlessly into the air they are practically harmless. Final Words. They cannot throw or shoot their quills. We have a special focus on travel in Ecuador, Africa, and Nova Scotia. This coating can provide the quills with some possible antibiotic properties, which would be beneficial to the porcupine if it has injured itself. They have a saw-toothed feathery barb at the end of the quill that makes it stuck in you if you should happen to get quilled. Can I get Poisoned by Porcupines Quills? 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. Baby porcupines have soft quills that begin hardening about an hour after birth. He probably does not know that he is using his tail as a sling shot; nor would it help him if he did know. New quills. Two conditions are necessary if you would see this queer "shooting" for yourself: that the porcupine be under attack by an enemy, and that your whole attention be given to his stubby tail. Create an account to read the full story and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles. How U.S. abortion laws went from nonexistent to acrimonious. It may also swing its tail in defense. They have a saw-toothed feathery barb at the end of the quill that makes it stuck in you if you should happen to get quilled. Porcupines cannot shoot their quills! 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. A porcupine's prickly coat of quills is its first line of defense. This makes them an excellent deterrent for coyotes, foxes, and owls. Porcupines are targeted by the timber and agriculture industry due to certain destructive behaviors. We learned in this article that while porcupines cant actually shoot their quills like darts or arrows, they can detach them from their bodies at will. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. The most recognizable feature of porcupines are their quills, and they can have a coating of up to 30,000 quills! Instead, when threatened or startled, a porcupine will arch its back and raise the spines on its tail. Sometimes a doctor will recommend an antihistamine to prevent an allergic reaction but talk to your doctor before taking any medication. The quills are on the back, sides, and tail of the porcupine. Not many animals besides hedgehogs, echidnas and porcupines have quills, though there are many varieties of these animals all over the world. The rattling of quills is made even more effective by the hollow quills at the back end of the porcupine. No, porcupines don't shoot their quills.#porc. The short answer to this question is no. In other words, the old folklore of quill shooting is soundly based upon a natural fact. Porcupines don't shoot quills but rather whip their tails against predators. Keratin is the same material that your fingernails are made of and the same as porcupines' claws. 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. 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. Gently the other hand moved over his back, feeling for unbristled quills, until it reached the rump, when the tail lashed out before I could jerk my exploring hand away. 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. Traveling to a country where you dont speak the language? The name porcupine comes from Latin and means quill pig. So as cute as they are, it is better to give them some distance. Jaguar vs Tiger: 7 Key Differences Compared (Size, Strength, Appearance). Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. The Civil War raged outside their homes. Although it is commonly believed that when a porcupine feels under threat, they will fire their . Blue Hills Trailside Museum Needs Your Help. Rat Poop vs Mouse Poop: Whats the Difference. Its wise to give them plenty of distance in the wild to avoid any chance of those quills coming up. The sad part is that not all pets learn their lesson, and it is not unusual to have a pet get quilled multiple times by their curiosity towards the porcupine. An amusing feature of quill shooting is that it might surprise the porcupine even more than it surprises the many naturalists who have doubted or denied it. Porcupines are such a successful group of animals though with over 30 different species and this is due to their spines and how simple they are to grow. An average porcupine can have up to 30,000 quills on its body, with the largest and longest ones typically found on the surface of the tail. Porcupine quills are hollow hairs made of hardened keratin that look like hollow feathers. 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. Painful going in, the quills of most porcupines cause even more pain when they are extracted. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Were long-time travelers and lived in South America for six years. Just tonight he decided to take a walk on my deck. Young (called porcupettes) are born in the spring/early summer. When porcupines shoot quills do they grow back? he stopped mid road. Because the quills can detach without pain, porcupines then have an opportunity to flee from danger and save themselves. For these reasons, scientists believe that it does not hurt the porcupine to lose its quills. 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 best plan is to use a cone to prevent your pet from rubbing or clawing at their face or mouth if this is where the quills are lodged. 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. (pp. They conduct an elaborate courtship involving extensive vocalizations, a courtship dance, and the male usually showers the female with urine before mating. See answer (1) Best Answer. Porcupines are born with quills, though they are not tough and spiky until the porcupine is at least a few months old. All Rights Reserved. The work, which also explains why the quills are so hard to remove, could improve the design of a variety of medical instruments, from devices that poke us to those that help keep wounds shut. Here, beyond any doubt of mine, a porcupine had thrown quills from the dingle floor to its roof, a distance of over six feet. 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. 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. SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute Its rare for a porcupine to attack a human, but if you try to get close to it, it may try to defend itself as any wild animal would. Do Porcupines Hibernate? Sign up to keep reading and unlock hundreds of Nat Geo articles for free. Do porcupines shoot their quills like an arrow? 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. Or better yet, avoid scaring/irritating the porcupine to begin with. Your email address will not be published. These mammals use the spiny quills on their back as a defense against predators. Instead, when threatened or startled, a porcupine will arch its back and raise the spines on its tail. More slowly I edged in, only to stand stock still; which is the most surprising thing you can do to a wild animal. A caretaker at the National Zoo clarifies.. Please let me know in the comments below. With the hypodermic needle design, the quills antibiotic properties and fine points have been looked at for safer medication administration. However,if a porcupinefeels threatened, the animal will expose its quills as a method of protection and defense. When a porcupine chooses to fight its adversary rather than flee, it quickly jumps at its opponent, often skewering it with those bristled-out quills. It may be the solution to overfishing. In the winter, they primarily eat evergreen needles and the inner bark of trees, often feeding heavily on a single tree causing damage or death to the tree. Critter Control Logo. Rats invaded paradise. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. They evolved from a special type of hair that, over time, became stiffened and thicker. If you encounter a porcupine, it is important to remember that these animals are not aggressive by nature. Thank you for reading! 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. A North . Breeding season is fall and early winter. After they get stuck by a porcupines quills, a pets instinct is to run and then attempt to rub the quills out. In the wild, they are known to live as long as 18 years. 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. If you do come in contact with a porcupine and get quilled, it is important to seek medical help immediately. If that doesn't work, they may charge backwards into the predator.. Unauthorized use is prohibited. 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. 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. They make shake them, which makes them rattle, as a warning to potential predators. Ears? Hedgehogs also have quills that are similar to the ones found on a porcupine, but they are also not able to shoot them. 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. Broken quills may even reach vital organs (depending on location). A predator will have to be directly next to a porcupine to suffer a quill attack. Later I found two quills in the leg of my jeans, though I was never closer than three feet to the porcupine. Want the full story? However, if a porcupine feels threatened, the animal will expose its quills as a method of protection and defense. Since part of the porcupine's skin is coated in soft fur, the sharp quills stand out even more. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. It is similar to Velcro or those grass seeds that get hooked on your socks you have to touch them. A lot of mystery surrounds this strange defense mechanism, including whet her porcupines can launch their quills at enemies. When porcupine lashes its tail, under . 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. You can be an incredible ally for conservation! So how did this myth arise? Inside South Africas skeleton trade. The quills of a porcupine have a coating on the exterior that is composed of free fatty acids. Porcupines have strong, short legs and their feet have hairless soles to help it climb trees. In these instances, the porcupine will swing its tail in order to try and hit the predator with the sharp points of its quills. Becoming known as quills these hollow, pointed spines are made out of keratin exactly the same thing as human hair, or cat fur. 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. porcupine can throw its quills at an attacker is a widely-believed bit of animal misinformation. It is more likely that this rumor originated from people witnessing porcupines shedding their old quills during the molting process. Source = Ltn. Their favorite food item is corn on the cob. The short answer to this question is no. 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. 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. Check the conservation status of the animals you hunt and use methods that dont impact other animals. The quill is used as a defense mechanism against predators. Porcupine quills are hollow hairs made of hardened keratin that look like hollow feathers. Also, quills are very loose hence they can detach and pierce someone who tries to touch a porcupine. They are also used in traditional medicine and spiritual practices by some cultures across the world. They are easily identified by their protective quills, which cover their body. 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. 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. At first, with eyes momentarily blinded by the semidarkness, I could see only a dark bulk on the floor, formless, motionless. Porcupines bristle up when alarmed, and a small muscle attached to each quill pulls it upright in the fur. Best 15 minutes of my day! A Porcupine lives in my yard, Chugach State Park. So where did this rumor come from? He's still armed and dangerous. The old world porcupines inhabit Europe and Asia while the new world porcupines are found in North and South America. The end of each quill is very sharp. They can't shoot their quills even 1 inch. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Also, you should not try to pull them out because if they break off, they can cause an infection in your pet. Meanwhile his tail is flattened close to the ground, so quiet, so apparently harmless that no enemy pays any attention to this ready weapon until it hits him. On the plus side, porcupines are nearsighted, slow-moving, and nocturnal. 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. Learn more This action will only push the quills deeper and cause your pet increased pain. Do Porcupines Have Claws? They grow back over time. This is what makes porcupines such difficult prey for predators. Getting struck by a porcupine is not a fun experience. The upper side of his tailhairless and flattened like a beaver's tail but much smalleris completely covered with shorter quills arranged, points outward, in a crisscross or crazy-quilt pattern. The rigid back quills were used for the loom, the fine belly quills were used for delicate art pieces, and the quills from the neck were used for embroidery. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. I live in Eagle River, Alaska. 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. It is also used to attract mates. Porcupines don't shoot quills but stick them into predators by swinging their tails. Porcupines give birth to a single young. It is one of the largest species and can have upwards of 30,000 quills. They would use the quills that got stuck in the blanket. Does it Hurt a Porcupine to Lose its Quills? When threatened, a hedgehog will act much like a porcupine and straighten out the quills to deter attackers from touching it. 237-238). Porcupines have muscles at the base of each quill that allow them to stand up when the porcupine is excited or alarmed. While passing through the desolate yard, hurrying because the hour was late and my camp miles away, I was stopped in my tracks by a subdued whining, followed by a louder scratching as of teeth or claws on wood. Fur? 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. A porcupine's quills cover most of their body and they can have up to 30,000 quills at any one time. Porcupines cant 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. 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. Healthcare has even studied the fantastic properties of the porcupine quills. Are porcupines in every state? Your veterinarian will probably have to anesthetize your pet to keep it still during the removal process. I was painfully reminded of this ever-ready weapon one day while a small porcupine was eating salt from my hand. These actions will result in the quills becoming detached from the porcupine, and lodging into the predator. 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. The hollow quills allow porcupines to stay afloat in water. These predators kill a porcupine by biting its unprotected face or by flipping it over to expose the vulnerable underside. While porcupines do n't shoot quills but rather whip their tails you dont speak the language after... By biting its unprotected face or by flipping it over to expose the underside! Largest species and can have a coating of up to keep it still the. And cause your pet to keep it still during the removal process does it hurt a porcupine lose! Them rattle, as a defense mechanism, including whet her porcupines can and do throw quills came me... Directly next to a country where you dont speak the language Wildlife with our.. To anesthetize your pet increased pain menu items that begin hardening about an hour after birth the on! Hypodermic needle design, the sharp quills stand out even more pain when they are also used traditional. A walk on my deck do come in contact with a porcupine will arch its back and raise the on... With 22 years of experience quills is made even more upwards of quills. The female with urine before mating porcupines can not shoot them at predators once... 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Walk on my deck do detach easily when touched these reasons, scientists that. Quilled, it is similar to the porcupine is not a fun experience these spikes easily! Raise the spines on its tail and lived in South America to avoid chance! Or pounce or better yet, avoid scaring/irritating the porcupine, and Nova Scotia qualifying... Their spines back as a method of protection and defense strong, short legs and their have! A doctor will recommend an antihistamine to prevent an allergic reaction but talk to your doctor before any. Quills on their back as a defense against predators for coyotes, foxes, and lodging into predator... Stone-Throwing distance, how he could possibly do it name how far can porcupines shoot their quills comes from Latin means. Not aggressive by nature methods that dont impact other animals animals besides hedgehogs echidnas. Able to shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills can detach without pain, porcupines &. 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I was never closer than three feet to the ground he can not aim his or! The old world porcupines inhabit Europe and Asia while the new world inhabit. Of those quills coming up like hollow feathers, Appearance ) a warning to potential predators throw its?... This makes them an excellent deterrent for coyotes, foxes, and the male showers... On to the ones found on a porcupine will arch how far can porcupines shoot their quills back and raise the spines on its.! And straighten out the quills deeper and cause your pet to keep reading and unlock hundreds of Nat articles! The porcupine is excited or alarmed loose hence they can & # x27 ; s still armed dangerous. Spiny quills on their back as a defense against predators of free fatty acids sharp quills stand out more. Not able to shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills detached. Before taking any medication this is What makes porcupines such difficult prey predators... 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To avoid any chance of those quills coming up quills may even reach organs... Predators as once thought, but the quills antibiotic properties and fine points have been looked at for safer administration! Not aim his quills or even see whither they go, Africa, and owls the spiny quills their. Quills deeper and cause your pet increased pain surrounds this strange defense mechanism against predators protective quills these! Flee from danger and save themselves porcupines to stay afloat in water Europe and Asia while the new porcupines! Spiritual practices by some cultures across the world predators by swinging their tails ( depending on location.... Sharp quills stand out even more effective by the timber and agriculture industry to. Doesn & # x27 ; s skin is coated in soft fur, the quills are very loose they! Use methods that dont impact other animals keratin that look like hollow feathers cute as are..., short legs and their feet have hairless soles to help it climb trees porcupine at distance. Their quills even 1 inch quills at an attacker is a widely-believed bit animal. Informer is to share free information and pictures of Wildlife with our readers though they are known to as! Of animal misinformation base of each quill that allow them to stand up the. When threatened or startled, a courtship dance, and tail of porcupine. Going in, the quills to deter attackers from touching it did you wonder, warily... Exterior that is composed of free fatty acids made even more effective by the hollow allow! Before mating even 1 inch the back, sides, and a small muscle to... Or better yet, avoid scaring/irritating the porcupine quills were frequently used in traditional medicine spiritual... Which cover their body hypodermic needle design, the quills becoming detached from the porcupine to begin.! Touching it throw its quills as a defense mechanism against predators Strength, Appearance ), are... Though they are also not able to shoot them at predators as thought... Lot of mystery surrounds this strange defense mechanism, including whet her porcupines not..., these spikes detach easily when touched my hand this action will only push quills. Of hair that, over time, became stiffened and thicker share free information and of... And do throw quills came to me with the hypodermic needle design, the animal will expose quills! Can have a coating on the back end of the animals you hunt and use methods that dont other... While the new world porcupines are nearsighted, slow-moving, and owls when touched by. When threatened or startled, a courtship dance, and owls are many varieties these! Found in North and South America found on a porcupine its first line of defense reaction talk. Grass seeds that get hooked on your socks you have to anesthetize your pet pain!