{"id":187774,"date":"2022-07-18T11:13:21","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T11:13:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/"},"modified":"2022-07-18T11:13:21","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T11:13:21","slug":"can-porcupines-shoot-quills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/","title":{"rendered":"Can porcupines shoot quills?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Can_porcupines_shoot_quills\" title=\"Can porcupines shoot quills?\">Can porcupines shoot quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#What_is_the_range_of_a_porcupine\" title=\"What is the range of a porcupine?\">What is the range of a porcupine?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Does_it_hurt_a_porcupine_to_lose_quills\" title=\"Does it hurt a porcupine to lose quills?\">Does it hurt a porcupine to lose quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#When_porcupines_shoot_quills_do_they_grow_back\" title=\"When porcupines shoot quills do they grow back?\">When porcupines shoot quills do they grow back?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#How_far_can_porcupine_shoot_quills\" title=\"How far can porcupine shoot quills?\">How far can porcupine shoot quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#What_animal_can_shoot_quills\" title=\"What animal can shoot quills?\">What animal can shoot quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Do_hedgehogs_shoot_quills_at_you\" title=\"Do hedgehogs shoot quills at you?\">Do hedgehogs shoot quills at you?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Do_all_porcupines_shoot_their_quills\" title=\"Do all porcupines shoot their quills?\">Do all porcupines shoot their quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Where_do_porcupines_roam\" title=\"Where do porcupines roam?\">Where do porcupines roam?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Where_do_porcupines_go_at_night\" title=\"Where do porcupines go at night?\">Where do porcupines go at night?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#How_far_does_a_porcupine_throw_its_quills\" title=\"How far does a porcupine throw its quills?\">How far does a porcupine throw its quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#How_smart_is_a_porcupine\" title=\"How smart is a porcupine?\">How smart is a porcupine?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Can_porcupines_regrow_their_quills\" title=\"Can porcupines regrow their quills?\">Can porcupines regrow their quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#How_long_does_it_take_for_porcupines_to_grow_back_their_quills\" title=\"How long does it take for porcupines to grow back their quills?\">How long does it take for porcupines to grow back their quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#What_happens_if_porcupine_quills_are_not_removed\" title=\"What happens if porcupine quills are not removed?\">What happens if porcupine quills are not removed?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Do_porcupines_shoot_their_quills_out\" title=\"Do porcupines shoot their quills out?\">Do porcupines shoot their quills out?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#How_long_does_it_take_for_a_porcupine_to_grow_back_its_quills\" title=\"How long does it take for a porcupine to grow back its quills?\">How long does it take for a porcupine to grow back its quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Does_losing_quills_hurt_a_porcupine\" title=\"Does losing quills hurt a porcupine?\">Does losing quills hurt a porcupine?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#What_happens_to_a_porcupine_after_it_loses_its_quills\" title=\"What happens to a porcupine after it loses its quills?\">What happens to a porcupine after it loses its quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#What_happens_when_a_porcupine_shoots_its_quills\" title=\"What happens when a porcupine shoots its quills?\">What happens when a porcupine shoots its quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Can_porcupines_shoot_their_quills_out\" title=\"Can porcupines shoot their quills out?\">Can porcupines shoot their quills out?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#How_does_a_porcupine_throw_its_quills\" title=\"How does a porcupine throw its quills?\">How does a porcupine throw its quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Can_any_animal_shoot_its_quills\" title=\"Can any animal shoot its quills?\">Can any animal shoot its quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#What_animal_can_throw_its_quills\" title=\"What animal can throw its quills?\">What animal can throw its quills?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-porcupines-shoot-quills\/#Do_hedgehogs_shoot_quills\" title=\"Do hedgehogs shoot quills?\">Do hedgehogs shoot quills?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_porcupines_shoot_quills\"><\/span>Can porcupines shoot quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Porcupines cannot shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills do detach easily when touched. Many animals come away from a porcupine encounter with quills protruding from their own snouts or bodies.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_range_of_a_porcupine\"><\/span>What is the range of a porcupine?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Range and Habitat: The range is <b>most of Canada, Alaska, northern Mexico, and the western and northern U.S. The porcupine is a common and wide-spread resident of the Adirondacks where it occurs to elevations of at least 1220 m (4000 ft). It prefers mixed forests.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_it_hurt_a_porcupine_to_lose_quills\"><\/span>Does it hurt a porcupine to lose quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Unlike the short, rounded spikes of a hedgehog, porcupine quills are long and light. They are not deeply rooted in the skin, so <b>losing quills does not harm the animal. However, a dog who tangles with a porcupine often ends up learning a painful lesson thanks to a muzzle-full of sharp spines.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_porcupines_shoot_quills_do_they_grow_back\"><\/span>When porcupines shoot quills do they grow back?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Just as animal hair is shed and replaced, so are the porcupine&#8217;s quills. New ones begin developing within a few days after the old ones are shed or removed, and <b>they grow about one millimeter every two days until fully developed<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_far_can_porcupine_shoot_quills\"><\/span>How far can porcupine shoot quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>How far can porcupines shoot their quills? They can&#8217;t shoot their quills even <b>1 inch. Porcupines don&#8217;t shoot quills but stick them into predators by swinging their tails. A predator will have to be directly next to a porcupine to suffer a quill attack.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_animal_can_shoot_quills\"><\/span>What animal can shoot quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>porcupines<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_hedgehogs_shoot_quills_at_you\"><\/span>Do hedgehogs shoot quills at you?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Perhaps the biggest myth of all is that a hedgehog can shoot its quills! Can you shoot the hair out of your head? Just like your hair, a hedgehog&#8217;s quills can fall out or break off, but <b>the hedgehog cannot shoot its quills to defend itself. In Europe, people consider hedgehogs to be friends of backyards and gardens.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_all_porcupines_shoot_their_quills\"><\/span>Do all porcupines shoot their quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As you&#8217;ll see, contrary to common belief, <b>porcupines don&#8217;t actually shoot their quills, but that clearly doesn&#8217;t matter much in confrontations like these. Per Beaumont, if the porcupine manages to get close enough to a predator, it does not shoot its quills, as many people may think.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_do_porcupines_roam\"><\/span>Where do porcupines roam?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>North American porcupines are native to <b>the coniferous and mixed-forest habitats of Canada, the northeastern and western regions of the United States and northern Mexico. Besides forests, porcupines can also be found in grasslands, desert shrub communities and even tundra.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_do_porcupines_go_at_night\"><\/span>Where do porcupines go at night?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>During the night, they forage for food. <b>New World porcupines spend their time in the trees, while Old World porcupines stay on the ground<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_far_does_a_porcupine_throw_its_quills\"><\/span>How far does a porcupine throw its quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>How far can porcupines shoot their quills? They can&#8217;t shoot their quills even <b>1 inch. Porcupines don&#8217;t shoot quills but stick them into predators by swinging their tails. A predator will have to be directly next to a porcupine to suffer a quill attack.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_smart_is_a_porcupine\"><\/span>How smart is a porcupine?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Porcupines are considered to be <b>intelligent, rapid learners with good memories. Native Americans used the animal&#8217;s quills historically to make quill boxes, jewelry, and other works of art throughout the centuries.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_porcupines_regrow_their_quills\"><\/span>Can porcupines regrow their quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Many animals come away from a porcupine encounter with quills protruding from their own snouts or bodies. Quills have sharp tips and overlapping scales or barbs that make them difficult to remove once they are stuck in another animal&#8217;s skin. <b>Porcupines grow new quills to replace the ones they lose<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_it_take_for_porcupines_to_grow_back_their_quills\"><\/span>How long does it take for porcupines to grow back their quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Just as animal hair is shed and replaced, so are the porcupine&#8217;s quills. New ones begin developing within <b>a few days after the old ones are shed or removed, and they grow about one millimeter every two days until fully developed.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_porcupine_quills_are_not_removed\"><\/span>What happens if porcupine quills are not removed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The most serious potential complication of porcupine quills is <b>infection deep in the tissues. Migrating quills can also embed in joints, poke into the eye, or even penetrate into the brain or other organs, creating a real life-threatening health crisis.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_porcupines_shoot_their_quills_out\"><\/span>Do porcupines shoot their quills out?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As you&#8217;ll see, contrary to common belief, <b>porcupines don&#8217;t actually shoot their quills, but that clearly doesn&#8217;t matter much in confrontations like these. Per Beaumont, if the porcupine manages to get close enough to a predator, it does not shoot its quills, as many people may think.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_it_take_for_a_porcupine_to_grow_back_its_quills\"><\/span>How long does it take for a porcupine to grow back its quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Just as animal hair is shed and replaced, so are the porcupine&#8217;s quills. New ones begin developing within <b>a few days after the old ones are shed or removed, and they grow about one millimeter every two days until fully developed.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_losing_quills_hurt_a_porcupine\"><\/span>Does losing quills hurt a porcupine?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Unlike the short, rounded spikes of a hedgehog, porcupine quills are long and light. They are not deeply rooted in the skin, so <b>losing quills does not harm the animal. However, a dog who tangles with a porcupine often ends up learning a painful lesson thanks to a muzzle-full of sharp spines.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_to_a_porcupine_after_it_loses_its_quills\"><\/span>What happens to a porcupine after it loses its quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Some quills have scales or barbs that make them very hard to remove. Once a quill is lost, it isn&#8217;t lost forever. <b>They grow back over time. A North American porcupine can have 30,000 or more quills, according to National Geographic.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_when_a_porcupine_shoots_its_quills\"><\/span>What happens when a porcupine shoots its quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Although porcupines can&#8217;t shoot their quills like arrows, <b>the quills do detach easily. If a predator were to attack a porcupine, the slightest touch can lodge dozens of quills in the predator&#8217;s body. The quills are like tiny needles with sharp tips and barbs on the ends.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_porcupines_shoot_their_quills_out\"><\/span>Can porcupines shoot their quills out?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. These quills typically lie flat until a porcupine is threatened, then leap to attention as a persuasive deterrent. <b>Porcupines cannot shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills do detach easily when touched<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_a_porcupine_throw_its_quills\"><\/span>How does a porcupine throw its quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Although porcupines can&#8217;t shoot their quills like arrows, <b>the quills do detach easily. If a predator were to attack a porcupine, the slightest touch can lodge dozens of quills in the predator&#8217;s body. The quills are like tiny needles with sharp tips and barbs on the ends.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_any_animal_shoot_its_quills\"><\/span>Can any animal shoot its quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>There are no animals that are able to shoot quills as depicted in the movies or cartoons you may have seen when you were younger. Not many animals besides hedgehogs, echidnas and porcupines have quills, though there are many varieties of these animals all over the world.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_animal_can_throw_its_quills\"><\/span>What animal can throw its quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Quills are actually stiff, hollow hairs with microscopic, backward-facing barbs at the tip (kind of like tiny fish hooks), so when they come into contact with flesh<b>human or animalthey get stuck and pull free from the porcupine&#8217;s skin.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_hedgehogs_shoot_quills\"><\/span>Do hedgehogs shoot quills?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Perhaps the biggest myth of all is that a hedgehog can shoot its quills! Can you shoot the hair out of your head? Just like your hair, a hedgehog&#8217;s quills can fall out or break off, but <b>the hedgehog cannot shoot its quills to defend itself. In Europe, people consider hedgehogs to be friends of backyards and gardens.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Can porcupines shoot quills?What is the range of a porcupine?Does it hurt a porcupine to lose quills?When porcupines shoot quills do they grow back?How far can porcupine shoot quills?What animal can shoot quills?Do hedgehogs shoot quills at you?Do all porcupines shoot their quills?Where do porcupines roam?Where do porcupines go at night?How far&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[622],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-187774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-care"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187774"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=187774"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187774\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=187774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=187774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=187774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}