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Section of Mammals

Carnegie Museum of Natural History

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Porcupine (Erethizontidae)

Porcupine

August 24, 2017 by

Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)

Porcupines cannot throw their quills, but as the tail is swished violently to threaten an enemy, loosely attached quills may fall off the body. Young are born with soft, short quills that dry and stiffen within a few hours.

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