Porcupines

Porcupines are rodents with thousands of sharp quills on their bodies. The quills help protect them from danger. Porcupines are slow but they can defend themselves well. They are found in many parts of the world.

Sharp Quills

A porcupine can have more than 30,000 quills. When scared, it raises its quills to look bigger. The quills come out easily and stick into enemies. This makes animals think twice before attacking.

A porcupine showing off its sharp, pointy quills.
A porcupine showing off its sharp, pointy quills. (Tylwyth Eldar / Wikimedia Commons)

What They Eat

Porcupines are plant eaters. They chew on bark, leaves, twigs, and fruit. They have strong teeth that keep growing their whole life. Porcupines are active mostly at night.

Fun Facts

  • Porcupines cannot shoot their quills, but the quills come off easily.
  • Baby porcupines are called porcupettes.
  • Porcupines are excellent climbers and often live in trees.

Did You Know?

A porcupine's quills have tiny hooks at the tip, which makes them hard to pull out.