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Porcupines are known for their long quills. Their name derives from French words for pig and spike, ... as well as the danger they pose to any dog foolish enough to try to attack one. However ...
Porcupines are known for their sharp quills which one dog appears to have encountered first hand. A 2-year-old stray is recovering after being found with more than 350 quills embedded in her face ...
Porcupines' quills, or spines, take on various forms, depending on the species, but all are modified hairs coated with thick plates of keratin, [16] and embedded in the skin musculature. Old World porcupines have quills embedded in clusters, whereas in New World porcupines, single quills are interspersed with bristles, underfur, and hair.
On the other hand, being pricked by a porcupine quill is not dangerous, and the quills are not poisonous. The quill can be removed by gently but firmly pulling it out of the skin. The barbed tip sometimes breaks off, but it works its way out through the skin over time. [7]
The most distinguishing feature of the porcupine is its coat of quills. An adult porcupine has about 30,000 quills that cover all of its body except its underbelly, face, and feet. Quills are modified hairs formed into sharp, barbed, hollow spines. They are used primarily for defense, but also serve to insulate their bodies during winter.
During recovery, the porcupine was kept with other animals in a familiar environment, which should make his transition back home much easier. RELATED: American Humane Association's dog hero's
Each quill is connected to a muscle at its base, allowing the porcupine to raise its quills when it feels threatened. [4] The longest quills are located on the neck and shoulder, where the quills form a "skirt" around the animal. [4] These quills can grow up to 51 cm (20 in) long, [4] with most measuring between 15 and 30 cm (5.9 and 11.8 in). [5]
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