The porcupine is a rodent with long, spiky quills on its back, defending itself from predators. The quills are hollow tubes filled with an irritant fluid called “porcupine saliva” (which contains some formic acid). When threatened, the animal will stand up on its hind legs and use these quills as spears to defend itself.
This can be very painful if the quill strikes you directly. In addition, if you get pricked by one of these quills, your skin may become inflamed and red for several days. Porcupines aren’t the only animals that have quills.
There are a wide variety of land and sea animals that have quills or spines. Read on to learn about them.
1. Eastern Hedgehog
Eastern hedgehogs are medium-sized, furry, insectivorous mammals native to Australia. They are nocturnal animals who prefer to live in dry habitats and feed mainly on insects. Like the porcupine, the eastern hedgehogs have quills on their backs that they use to protect themselves when attacked.
However, unlike porcupines, these quills are not hollow tubes but solid spikes.
2. Western Ringtail
Western ringtails are small, hairy, insectivorous mammals found throughout Australia. They have long spiky quills on their backs and live in arid habitats where they dig burrows in the ground for shelter. Western ringtails are nocturnal and are active during the day only for food.
They feed mainly on insects and fruit.
3. Echidna
Echidnas are egg-laying mammals native to Australia. These little fuzzy creatures look like large, fat squirrels with long noses. Spiky quills on their heads keep them warm.
They also have spiky quills at the base of their tails. These quills are used for protection against predators. They will roll themselves into a tight ball to ward off predators when under attack.
Echidnas are herbivores and eat a variety of vegetation, including fruit, bark, fungi, and twigs.
4. Spotted Hyena
Spotted hyenas are large carnivorous mammals that inhabit savanna regions of Africa and parts of southern Europe. They have long, spiky quill-like hairs on their upper body that are used for defense against predators. Spotted hyenas eat both … Read the rest of the story.
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