Critter Guide :: Mammals :: Porcupine Porcupines have up to 30,000 quills interspersed among their dark underhair. Porcupine quills are stiff spines that are about 3 inches long and easily embedded in animals' flesh. The quills of the young are soft at birth but harden within one hour. Porcupines have poor vision but good senses of hearing and smell. Where do they live? Porcupines are found throughout North America. What do they eat? They eat buds, twigs, roots, stems, leaves, flowers, berries, nuts, and other vegetation. Social Environment Porcupines are intelligent, quick learners with good memories. The porcupine is nocturnal, but will occasionally forage in daylight. When threatened, porcupines raise their spines in a threatening gesture, and swing their tails back and forth. Critter Fact While the quills of the porcupine can be dangerous or lethal if they become embedded in the skin of an animal or human, the quills are not poisonous and are in fact harvested by Native Americans to make quill boxes, jewelry, and artwork. Did You Know? Porcupines have an elaborate courtship ritual that involves the male showering the female with urine.

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