Porcupines ...

Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators. Most porcupines are about 25-36 inches long, with a 8-10 inch long tail. Weighing between 12-35 pounds , they are rounded, large and slow. Porcupines come in various shades of brown, grey, and the unusual white. The name "porcupine" comes from Middle French porc d'épine "thorny pork", hence the nickname "quill pig" for the animal.

The animal's quills or spines take on various forms, depending on the species, but all are modified hairs coated with thick plates of keratin, and they are 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.

Contrary to popular belief, porcupines are not capable of throwing their quills, but they detach very easily and will remain embedded in an attacker. Porcupine quills are as sharp as needles. Unlike needles, however, the quills of New World porcupines have microscopic, backwards-facing barbs on the tip that catch on the skin making them difficult and painful to extract. Quills are about 75 mm long and 2 mm wide. If a quill becomes lodged in the tissues of a would-be attacker, the barbs act to pull the quill further into the tissues with the normal muscle movements of the attacker, moving up to several millimeters in a day. Predators have been known to die as a result of quill penetration and infection. Quills are still capable of penetrating animals and humans even after death.

Sometimes it can be painful and sticky,
but it's still important to love the porcupine ;)
(especially when they're our kids!)