Porcupine

A porcupine is a rodent known for its coat of sharp, hollow quills, which are a highly effective defense mechanism against predators. They are the third-largest rodent in the world, after the capybara and the beaver.

The most striking feature of a porcupine is its coat of sharp, barbed quills, which are modified hairs. These quills are not thrown or shot at predators. Instead, they detach easily when they make contact with a predator's skin. Porcupines have a robust, stocky body and a relatively short tail.

Porcupines are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, deserts, and grasslands, in North and South America, as well as parts of Africa and Asia. They are herbivores that primarily eat leaves, bark, buds, and fruit. In the winter, they often feed on tree bark and can cause damage to trees.

Porcupines are generally solitary and are mostly nocturnal. When threatened, a porcupine will raise its quills, make a rattling sound with its tail, and turn its back on the predator. If the threat persists, the porcupine may lash its tail, embedding dozens of quills into the predator's skin. The barbed quills are difficult to remove and can cause a lot of pain.