Liné1, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The porcupine does not throw its quills, but it uses its strong tail to push its quills into an attacker. However, a porcupine’s quills were not used as defensive weapons until after the Fall. The limbs of the porcupine are designed for climbing and feeding in trees. The pads on its feet are textured to grab the tree surface, and it uses its quills as hooks that prevent the porcupine from sliding backward while it is feeding with its front feet.
Hairy dwarf porcupine, Brazilian porcupine
CLASS: Mammalia (mammal)
ORDER: Rodentia (rodents)
FAMILY: Erethizontidae (New World porcupines)
GENUS/SPECIES: Erethizon dorsatum
Size: 3–4 ft (1–1.2 m)
Weight: 10–40 lbs (4.5–18 kg); normally between 7–15 lbs (3–7 kg)
Original Diet: Plants
Present Diet: Bark of trees and plants
Habitat: Timbered areas in Alaska, Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico
Make your next visit to the zoo more than just fun—make it factual and fascinating too! You could even start a personal “creation zoo tours” ministry. Featuring more than 100 animals, our long-awaited Zoo Guide includes beautiful pictures and explores the amazing facts and design features that point to our awesome Creator. Excellent gift for any one who loves animals!
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