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Yummy
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Cathy Hampton (luvsdogs3)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 108 W: 0 N: 184]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (586) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2005-08 |
| Categories: Mammals |
| Camera: Canon Powershot S1-IS |
| Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2005-08-10 23:59 |
| Viewed: 1085 |
| Points: 5 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This porcupine was enjoying his corn cob but kept his eye on me. I used a flash through a window so there are some OE areas. But I decided that I liked the highlighted quills. What do you think?
The biggest fallacy about porcupines is that they can shoot their quills as a defense. Not true!
North American Porcupine
Erethizon dorsatum
The porcupine is a rodent. It has black to brownish-yellow fur and strong, short legs. It has hairless soles on its feet that help it climb trees. It has a round body, small ears and a small head. The most recognizable feature of the porcupine is its quills. A porcupine may have as many as 30,000 quills. The quills are hairs with barbed tips on the ends. Quills are solid at the tip and base and hollow for most of the shaft. The porcupine has quills on all parts of its body, except for its stomach. The longest quills are on its rump. The shortest quills are on its cheeks.
The porcupine uses its quills for defense. The porcupine cannot shoot its quills. When a predator approaches, the porcupine will turn its back, raise the quills and lash out at the threat with its tail. If the porcupine hits an animal with its quills, the quills become embedded in the animal. Body heat makes the barbs expand and they become even more deeply embedded in the animal's skin. If an animal is hit in a vital place it may die. The porcupine is not an aggressive animal. It will only attack if it is threatened. Some animals, like the fisher, are experts at attacking porcupines
Source
Taken at Coyote Point Museum |
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![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3103 W: 234 N: 5930]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
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