Can a porcupine actually shoot, or throw its quills at an aproaching enemy. or is this a myth…?
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/porcupi… The porcupine uses its quills for defense. The porcupine cannot shoot its quills. When a predator approaches, the porcupine will turn its back, raise the quills and lash out at the threat with its tail. If the porcupine hits an animal with its quills, the quills become embedded in the animal. Body heat makes the barbs expand and they become even more deeply embedded in the animal’s skin. If an animal is hit in a vital place it may die. The porcupine is not an aggressive animal. It will only attack if it is threatened. Some animals, like the fisher, are experts at attacking porcupines. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t… Let’s get right to the point: porcupines cannot shoot their quills! Quills are just modified hairs made out of keratin, the same substance found in our own hai
