The porcupine has strong quills. The quills grow from the back, sides, and tail. The quills are long, sharp bristles that are fused together. They defend themselves by jabbing these quills into its predators. Then it will regrow replacement quills. They cannot shoot their quills at their predators. Some species have barbs at the end of quills. These barbs make uneasy to remove the quills once it is jabbed in the predators flesh.
       Porcupine victims die in many ways. They may die of germs on the tips of the quills. They can also die by damage to a vital organ. The porcupine may also attack a predator in the jaw causing starvation.
     These  rodents  have been classified as Old World and New World Porcupines.
      Old World porcupines live in Asia, India, and Southern Europe.
They are about 3 feet (91 centimeters) long. Their homes are tunnels in the ground.  They do not climb trees.
      New World Porcupines live in North and South America. They much of their time in trees. South American porcupines, called condeous hang by their tails, in trees.
      The Common Porcupine grows to about 24 inches. Some of its quills can grow to 12 inches. It is thick - bodied and black in colour.
     Northern American porcupines weigh about 20 pounds and are about 3 feet long. Their fur is a brownish black with 2-3 inch long, yellowish white quills. They live in coniferous forests. Their diet consists of green vegetation and tree bark.
      In the spring, female North American porcupine give birth to single offspring.
 At birth the babies have quills.
      The porcupine is often called a hedgehogs. This is incorrect. The hedgehogs live in the Eastern Hemisphere.

By: Stacey Rogers

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