Let other animals evolve marvelous specialtiesótheir magnificent wings, their ferocious teeth, their vision, their camouflage. The porcupine has spent its millions of years evolving hair, and his progress has been rewarding. When the porcupine has a bad hair day, there is trouble in the neighborhood.

A porcupine has three forms of hair. First is the undergarment of warmth-providing, water-shedding hair that serves as his coat and protection in all weather. Next, the guard hairs that hold snow and brush, heat and cold, wet and sun, at a little distance from flesh. Finally, the quillsósome tens of thousands of themóthat are the business side of the porcupine.

Quills are specialized, hollow hairs. They are hard, and they taper to fine, sharp points. Each is attached to a muscle at the base, that raises the weapon upon alarm. Near each tip are barb-like scales with overlapping edges, designed to perform a nasty mechanical miracle when they find their way into an enemy. In part reacting to the moisture of the enemy flesh, the scales expand, driving the quillís tip deeper into the victim. The more active the victimís response, the deeper the quill is drivenóputting the energy and excitement of the enemy into the service of the porcupine.

Most dogs exposed to this warfare, if they survive, do not soon repeat their mistake. Other animals, including fishers, eagles, martens, foxes, wolves, lynx, and owls, are known to try to kill porcupines, but of these only the fisher is considered formidable. The fisherís technique is not well documented, but requires flipping the porcupine onto its back, in effect disarming the quills. A preliminary step may be knocking the porcupine out of the tree to stun it.

The porcupine is a fun animal to encounter, because it is slow. You can get a good look as it retreats and works its way up a tree. You are well-advised to keep the dog in the house, and do your admiring from afar.

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
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