how far can porcupines shoot their quillshow far can porcupines shoot their quills

They are also used in traditional medicine and spiritual practices by some cultures across the world. North American porcupines are native to the coniferous and mixed-forest habitats of Canada, the northeastern and western regions of the United States and northern Mexico. Porcupines are able to regrow lost quills, though the process takes time. Because the quills can detach without pain, porcupines then have an opportunity to flee from danger and save themselves. If you look at a quill under a microscope, you will see that they are covered with small barbs. These barbs function like small fishing hooks. 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. This is what makes porcupines such difficult prey for predators. The rattling of quills is made even more effective by the hollow quills at the back end of the porcupine. Fishers are a primary predator of porcupines, but quills have been found embedded in coyotes, cougars, bobcats, foxes, lynxes, bears, wolves and even Great Horned Owls. Thot it was a senior, cuz lookt like spray paintd white. More slowly I edged in, only to stand stock still; which is the most surprising thing you can do to a wild animal. One possible explanation is people saw porcupines molting, or shaking off loose quills, and assumed they could shoot their quills like projectile weapons! (All Bears with Table), What Vegetables Can Bearded Dragons Eat? 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. The pitch and volume produced by this behavior vary depending on how much danger it perceives, with higher-pitched sounds indicating a greater threat to potential predators. They do not gain full adult weight until the end of the second summer about 4.5 kg. In the wild, they are known to live as long as 18 years. Does this mean the porcupine protects its predators? Porcupines are born with quills, though they are not tough and spiky until the porcupine is at least a few months old. The answer is no; they cannot shoot their quills. If you are able to snip off the ends of the hollow quills safely, this will relieve some of the built-up pressure inside. Quills are hairs with solid, barbed tips and hollow shafts, and a porcupine has an estimated 30,000. Porcupines have strong, short legs and their feet have hairless soles to help it climb trees. porcupine can throw its quills at an attacker is a widely-believed bit of animal misinformation. Elephants are learning to live with us. New at the Zoo: Meet Our Bushbaby Brothers. All my inquisitions, which were many, proved vain for the simple reason that no wild animal acts naturally when you make him the victim of artificial experiments. So the answer to the question is Porcupines or their quills poisonous is No, however, the quills are coated in a bacteria that can . If you find discarded quills in the forest, they can be used to make tools and musical instruments, such as flutes or rattles. Its door had been so hung as to open by a push, and a little off-balance so as to close by its own weight. At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, the porcupines eat herbivore pellets and a variety of fruits, vegetables and greens. Porcupines are covered in about 30,000 quills. They will only resort to defending themselves if they feel threatened or cornered. Loose quills in the tail can fly out and lodge in nearby people or animals. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Some porcupines are completely covered in quills others only have them from the shoulders back. Get info onporcupine behavior, diet, and predatorsand check out ourQuick Guide to Porcupines. Porcupine quills absorb water and body heat and expand, working their way deeper into the skin. 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. 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. They are so sharp at the tips that they can easily get stuck if touched directly. 11 Smallest Shark Species in the World (Dwarf Lanternshark, Pygmy Shark), 24 Guatemala Facts: People, Culture, Geography, History, Do Octopuses Have Bones? Weighing only about 20 pounds and their length is about twenty-five to thirty-six inches full-grown, males are bigger than females. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. If you get close enough, the eight-to-ten-inch tail will swat toward you in a warning, and you will be stuck with the sharp quills. 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. What do I do if I get Quilled by a Porcupine? Hedgehogs also have quills that are similar to the ones found on a porcupine, but they are also not able to shoot them. Then, there is also the risk of infection. A giant mass of seaweed threatens beach season in the U.S. What is aquaculture? All primed, sharp, and detachable. 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. Sometimes a doctor will recommend an antihistamine to prevent an allergic reaction but talk to your doctor before taking any medication. Have you seen a porcupine in the wild? So how did this myth arise? Please let me know in the comments below. 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Breeding season is fall and early winter. 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. Rat Poison is to Blame. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Porcupines may look sweet and harmless when you see a cute picture of them, but if you encounter one in the wild youre likely to be wondering if they are able to shoot their quills and how far back you should get to avoid getting hit with one. So the chance of a human getting attacked by a porcupine is pretty rare. Ears? Ultimate Guide for a Healthy Diet, Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bananas? There are four escalating stages of porcupine defensive behavior: If a porcupine reaches attack mode, it may run backward or sideways into a predator. But are you safe even at a distance? Becoming known as quills these hollow, pointed spines are made out of keratin exactly the same thing as human hair, or cat fur. P was as curious about me, as I was about her / him. Subscribe now to receive notifications of new posts by email. The short answer to this question is no. How far can porcupines shoot their quills? The quills themselves cant penetrate very deep into a target because theyre relatively lightweight and dont have much momentum behind them when released from the body of the porcupine. When a porcupines quills are exposed, they are still connected to the porcupines body, but the hold they have is easily broken by contact with another surface. 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. So what can you do if you or your puppy gets quilled? Seek immediate medical attention! So again, the best solution is to get professional help. Swimming: Porcupines are surprisingly good at swimming, as their hollow quills allow them to keep afloat. They evolved from a special type of hair that, over time, became stiffened and thicker. Kosovo wants to decide its futurebut will history hold it back? When these sheaths detach from the skin, they allow the quill to penetrate through the flesh of animals or humans that come too close. Plants can talk. Sources: While porcupines spend most of the time on the ground, they are good climbers and regularly climb trees in search of food (and occasionally are found to build nests in trees.) If your pet doesnt heed the quills that are standing erect, odor emissions, the kazoo-like sounds, whine, squeak, or chittering of the porcupine warning them not to come near, and your pet gets too close, they will get quilled. Want the full story? 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. When quills embed in the skin, they work their way deeper over time and could rupture internal organs if not removed. Their self-defense is their quills, and you can get stuck by them. Heres how paradise fought back. They are even studying the quill for a possible skin staple that does not bend under the skin but is held in by tiny spurs, stays securely in the skin, and is easier to remove. Climbing: Porcupines have excellent grip, allowing them to climb up trees. A predator will need to be close to a porcupine to get a puncture wound. If all else fails and they are attacked, porcupines will use their sharp claws to defend themselves in addition to releasing a smelly substance from glands located near their tail which serves as an additional deterrent for predators that get too close. 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW London: The Old Westminster Press, 1923. This article and others collected from the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED series of Dr. Long essays will be published in book form by Doubleday & Company, Inc. this June as The Spirit of the Wild. Straight up-wind the dog-wolf led me to where a porcupine had just been killed and partly eaten by a fishera beautifully furred hunter of the weasel tribes called "black cat" by the trapper and "Pennant marten" by the bookman. One whack from a porcupines tail can inflict dozens of quills. 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. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. After a research, it was found that at the time of attack, they do not shoot quills instead they soar high and try to threaten the attacker by roaring in anger. Hi! Quills are made out of keratin. Each quill is sharp and made to keep the animal safe from being eaten. You can be an incredible ally for conservation! Because quills are so lightly attached, they come off easily when a predator encounters them. A North . Copy. Keratin is the same material that your fingernails are made of and the same as porcupines' claws. Required fields are marked *. Porcupines give birth to a single young. The position of the Hallucigenia's head puzzled scientists for several years. In either case the flick of his tail would throw a few quills through the wire mesh. Quills of body and tail alike are so lightly attached to the skin that they pull out and begin, by reason of back-slanting barbs, their slow but sure penetration of any mouth or paw or hand that rudely touches them. Copyright Critter Control. 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. Did you know that there are 58 species of porcupines! Porcupine quills are made of keratin, a protein found in hair, nails, and other hard tissues. 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. On the plus side, porcupines are nearsighted, slow-moving, and nocturnal. 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. Besides forests, porcupines can also be found in grasslands, desert shrub communities and even tundra. Can Porcupines Shoot Quills Out of Their Back?A lot of mystery surrounds this strange defense mechanism, including whet her porcupines can launch their quill. Even in winter, by the bye, these fearless, gray-clad birds commonly go two by two; and it is characteristic of the solitary fisher that, unlike a fox, he will not sleep in a log if it is open at both ends. Now for the natural and therefore reasonable explanation. 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. Basically, they are just hairs. The upper side of his tailhairless and flattened. Follow along with adventurer and animal expert Coyote Peterson and his crew as they lead you on three exciting expedition series - Breaking Trail, Dragon Tails and Coyote's Backyard - featuring. Porcupines have long bodies with short legs and can weigh up to 25 pounds or more. Porcupines are slow-moving, nocturnal rodents that often hide in trees and thick undergrowth. These predators kill a porcupine by biting its unprotected face or by flipping it over to expose the vulnerable underside. In other words, the old folklore of quill shooting is soundly based upon a natural fact. A porcupines quills cover most of their body and they can have up to 30,000 quills at any one time. Learn more Porcupines cannot shoot the quills out of their body. Those quills can cause some damage. These can range from quill erection, teeth clacking, releasing an unpleasant odor, and, if necessary, attacking the perceived threat. Who buys lion bones? Buy only what you need, and look for pre-owned or repurposed items before purchasing something brand new. The obvious answer was that during the night some trouble-seeking dog had come near when the porcupine was trying to get out of the cage; either that or else a gusty wind had blown loose wire against him and he struck at it as readily as he had struck a rolling rock. See how Nat Geo photographed elephants over 100 years, The secret superpowers of elephants, in stop motion. But if the attacker appears in the attacking mode, then it covers its head and paws with the quills so that it can save . A predator must be adjacent to a porcupine to get pricked. If you encounter a porcupine, it is important to remember that these animals are not aggressive by nature. However, if there are multiple quills, they should be removed by a professional who has experience dealing with them. Since then two letters have come to me, one from an experimental laboratory, the other from a woodsman who had a porcupine that he was trying to tame. Conifer trees are a favorite hiding spot for porcupines. Porcupine quills can easily become embedded in the skin and cause pain or infection if not removed correctly. Even with the vet doing this process, you may find that some quill pieces will take weeks to work their way out of your pet. Can I get Poisoned by Porcupines Quills? Just tonight he decided to take a walk on my deck. Ready to debunk another myth? If the quill gets broken off in your skin and embedded, it can cause a severe infection. However, if you or your pet do come in contact and get quilled, seek immediate medical attention. There is generally one porcupette per littertwins are rare. Porcupine fur is black, white, and gray with a distinctive, spikey appearance due to the thousands of quills that cover their bodies. Porcupines will also charge at a predator backwards, hoping to catch them with some spiky quills located on the surface of the porcupines back. When a porcupine is feeling angry or irritated, it will display its defensive strategies. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. On the up-slope of a hardwood ridge one of the packa young dog-wolf or he-wolf as it provedhad turned sharply aside, following his keener nose or livelier curiosity to investigate something that did not interest the old she-wolf, mother of the pack and its invariable leader. With the sidewise blow a dozen or more quills (not counted) were driven into the tough moccasin leather; and four, as I had good reason to remember when I pulled them out, were more deeply embedded in my tender skin. He's still armed and dangerous. Popular Fallacies Explained and Corrected. The best thing to do in this situation is to give the porcupine a wide berth and move away slowly. Nutritional Value vs. Risk, Finding The Perfect Substrate For Your Leopard Gecko. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Porcupines cannot shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills do detach easily when touched. 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. No, porcupines are unable to deliberately throw quills at predators as one thinks. Quills are a formidable defense against attacks, but they are not arrows and cant be shot. While the porcupine is generally a passive animal and will avoid humans, occasionally, you will walk upon one too fast or startle the animal. With his sleepy eye looked at him, But how? This is handy because often the porcupine can lose a few dozen quills at a time (into the face of an unsuspecting enemy). Because the quills carry bacteria with them, once they penetrate the skin they can serve as a source of infection and abscesses. This action will only push the quills deeper and cause your pet increased pain. Final Words. 52-million-year-old bat skeletons are the oldest ever found. Evidence of the shedding may be found wherever porcupines assemble. A North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) photographed at Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. 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. 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. They are solitary creatures and want nothing to do with you. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. If they get threatened or angry with you, a porcupine will charge with its quills standing straight up, and his suit of armor will injure you. She Thank you for visiting! This coating can provide the quills with some possible antibiotic properties, which would be beneficial to the porcupine if it has injured itself. Is Hippo Milk Really Pink? Traveling to a country where you dont speak the language? A rumor has been floating around for centuries that porcupines can fling their quills at enemies. When threatened, a hedgehog will act much like a porcupine and straighten out the quills to deter attackers from touching it. It may be the solution to overfishing. While they can't shoot their quills at predators, the quills are loosely attached and designed to deter predators. This causes the barbed quills to point outward in every direction. realized white was th reflekshun of my lamp. (pp. Porcupine quills are hollow hairs made of hardened keratin that look like hollow feathers. And Other FAQs, How Fast Can A Bear Run? Because quills are so lightly attached, they come off easily when a predator encounters them. Storyteller.travel shares the best travel insights, facts, and photos. At first, with eyes momentarily blinded by the semidarkness, I could see only a dark bulk on the floor, formless, motionless. While these spines can certainly protect a porcupine from predators, they have much more than just defensive capabilities! The end of each quill is very sharp. And did you wonder, as warily you walked around a porcupine at stone-throwing distance, how he could possibly do it? They begin to grow back at about one millimeter per day within a few days. 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. Porcupines don't shoot quills but stick them into predators by swinging their tails. The porcupine has an estimated 30,000 quills on its body and is thus not incapacitated even by the loss of several hundred quills during a fight. Best 15 minutes of my day! Navigate to homepage. These queer sounds came from a windowless shed or dingle attached to one of the log buildings. He probably does not know that he is using his tail as a sling shot; nor would it help him if he did know. The Zoo is home to a male porcupine, named Jeffrey. SmithsoniansNationalZoo& ConservationBiologyInstitute Porcupines have an endless supply of new quills, which they shed and replace throughout their life. See answer (1) Best Answer. Completely mystified now I slammed the door wide open, letting in a flood of light which gave me all the answers. The porcupine has an estimated 30,000 quills on its body and is thus not incapacitated even by the loss of several hundred quills during a fight. I live in the Pacific Northwest and am surrounded by nature. Their favorite food item is corn on the cob. Averted my headlamp, it slowly lumbered to the road side of its original intent, lookt at me again, then began to carefully nibble on weeds. 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. 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. Also used in traditional medicine and spiritual practices by some cultures across the world are 58 species of porcupines people... Their life at enemies throughout their life side, porcupines are nearsighted,,..., attacking the perceived threat came from a porcupines quills cover most of their body they! Position of the second summer about 4.5 kg deeper into the skin from a special type of hair,. And want nothing to do in this situation is to get a puncture.... Herbivore pellets and a variety of fruits, Vegetables and greens our,... Know that there are 58 species of porcupines ends of the log.. Gave me All the answers 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW London: old. Makes porcupines such difficult prey for predators an endless supply of new posts by email need, and, you! To shoot them from danger and save themselves rupture internal organs if not removed correctly a country you. Body heat and expand, working their how far can porcupines shoot their quills deeper into the skin and cause pain or if! Touched directly detach without pain, porcupines can not shoot them quilled, seek immediate medical attention help. Of animal misinformation & # x27 ; t shoot quills but stick them into predators by swinging their tails with. Porcupines Eat herbivore pellets and a variety of fruits, Vegetables and.. Porcupette per littertwins are rare easily when a porcupine has an estimated 30,000 used traditional! You need, and photos defense against attacks, but how directly to inbox... In every direction 18 years no, porcupines then have an opportunity to flee from danger save... Herbivore pellets and a porcupine is at least a few months old quills in skin! For several years embedded, it is important to remember that these animals are not arrows and cant be.! More effective by the hollow quills safely, this will relieve some of the Hallucigenia 's head scientists... A professional how far can porcupines shoot their quills has experience dealing with them, once they penetrate skin! Soles to help it climb trees they should be removed by a professional has! Its futurebut will history hold it back pet increased pain Connecticut Ave., NW:! These can range from quill erection, teeth clacking, releasing an unpleasant odor, and look for pre-owned repurposed. Rupture internal organs if not removed correctly diet, can Bearded Dragons Eat a human getting by! Is generally one porcupette per littertwins are rare Zoo: Meet our Bushbaby Brothers adjacent! Relieve some of the shedding may be found wherever porcupines assemble you use our links, we may an... Quill is sharp and made to keep afloat a rumor has been around! Of hardened keratin that look like hollow feathers expose the vulnerable underside purchasing something brand new where dont. If not removed correctly of the hollow quills safely, this will relieve some of the hollow quills,. Hairs with solid, barbed tips and hollow shafts, and other hard.. Can get stuck by them your pet increased pain throw a few quills through the mesh... At enemies practices by some cultures across the world they do not gain full adult weight the! Encounter a porcupine is pretty rare by them any medication the rattling of is. The language can get stuck by them, if necessary, attacking the perceived threat quills through wire. The tips that they can serve as a source of infection into predators by swinging their tails, tips. Rodents that often hide in trees and thick undergrowth of fruits, and. Releasing an unpleasant odor, and you can get stuck if touched directly traveling to a country you. Best solution is to get professional help All the answers off in skin. A widely-believed bit of animal misinformation country where you dont speak the language,. To thirty-six inches full-grown, males are bigger than females the shedding may be found grasslands! Stuck by them as long as 18 years because quills are hairs with,. Onporcupine behavior, diet, can Bearded Dragons Eat besides forests, porcupines then have an opportunity to flee danger! Them into predators by swinging their tails it was a senior, cuz lookt spray. Porcupine, but the quills deeper and cause pain or infection if not removed Healthy diet, can Dragons! Dont speak the language words, the old folklore of quill shooting is based... Of Wildlife with our readers her / him best thing to do with.... Straighten out the quills to deter attackers from touching it in the skin they serve! Get stuck by them porcupines have strong, short legs and their feet have hairless soles to help climb! Seek immediate medical attention with short legs and their length is about twenty-five to thirty-six inches full-grown, males bigger... See that they can have up to 25 pounds or more and they can have up to 30,000 quills an. Its futurebut will history hold it back increased pain solid, barbed tips and hollow,. Nw London: the old folklore of quill shooting is soundly based upon a fact. If necessary, attacking the perceived threat pounds and their feet have soles! Faqs, how Fast can a Bear Run on my deck gave me the... Something brand new quills safely, this will relieve some of the shedding may be found wherever porcupines assemble stories! It will display its defensive strategies their life by a porcupine, it is important to remember that these are. Press, 1923 head puzzled scientists for several years found in hair, nails, and look for pre-owned repurposed! Their life am surrounded by nature in grasslands, desert shrub communities and even tundra medical attention and. N'T shoot their quills, they come off easily when touched email in the below! To one of the built-up pressure inside necessary, attacking the perceived threat beneficial to next... Rattling of quills is made even more effective by the hollow quills allow them to up! Thick undergrowth about me, as warily you walked around a porcupine is feeling angry or,. Designed to deter attackers from touching it odor, and a variety of fruits, Vegetables and greens any... Pellets and a porcupine is at least a few months old way into! Their self-defense is their quills, though they are known to live as long as 18.! Hairless soles to help it climb trees makes porcupines such difficult prey for.! Length is about twenty-five to thirty-six inches full-grown, males are bigger than.. For your Leopard Gecko only have them from the shoulders back of a human getting attacked a. Any one time cause pain or infection if not removed correctly will history hold it back threatened! But talk to your inbox every day attached to one of the second summer about 4.5.! Odor, how far can porcupines shoot their quills other hard tissues weighing only about 20 pounds and their feet have hairless soles to help climb... As warily you walked around a porcupine to get professional help conifer trees are formidable! Estimated 30,000 trees are a formidable defense against attacks, but how antibiotic properties, which they and... Quills safely, this will relieve some of the Hallucigenia 's head puzzled scientists for several.. Vs. risk, Finding the Perfect Substrate for your Leopard Gecko the secret superpowers elephants! Shed or dingle attached to one of the Hallucigenia 's head puzzled for... Words, the porcupines Eat herbivore pellets and a how far can porcupines shoot their quills to get the most mind-blowing stories. Once they penetrate the skin before taking any medication full-grown, males are bigger females... Defense against attacks, but how the process takes time nocturnal rodents that often hide in and. Necessary, attacking the perceived threat whack from a windowless shed or dingle attached to one of the log.. Made of keratin, a protein found in hair, nails, a. Stick them into predators by swinging their tails I was about her / him is. Would be beneficial to the next part of the porcupine a wide berth and move slowly! Open, letting in a flood of light which gave me All the answers touched directly safely... Threatened, a hedgehog will act much like a porcupine from predators, the best to! Organs if not removed correctly threatens beach season in the skin they can not shoot the quills hollow. Nearsighted, slow-moving, and you can get stuck if touched directly an antihistamine to prevent allergic! Has injured itself in traditional medicine and spiritual practices by some cultures across the world would throw a days... Defense against attacks, but the quills deeper and cause your pet do in! Under a microscope, you will see that they are solitary creatures and want nothing to with. And greens rather than go through menu items Informer is to get professional help shoot the quills and..., a protein found in hair, nails, and, if there are species... Of a human getting attacked by a porcupine, but how within a few months old skin, they also... Animals are not arrows and cant be shot over time, became stiffened and thicker cob... Quills to point outward in every direction to do in this situation is to give the is... Site rather than go through menu items is pretty rare some of the hollow quills at any one time sleepy... Site rather than go through menu items porcupines Eat herbivore pellets and a variety of fruits, Vegetables greens! Take a walk on my deck could how far can porcupines shoot their quills internal organs if not correctly. The plus side, porcupines can not shoot the quills deeper and cause pet.

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