A porcupine's quills vary in length from 1 to 12 inches. If danger threatens, the porcupine raises and spreads them. Overlapping scales on the tip lodge in the skin like a fishhook and are difficult to pull out. New quills grow in to replace lost ones.

Wildlife Gallery
From elephants to lions, bongos to shoebills, Africa boasts some of the world’s most recognizable wildlife, and some of the world’s most exotic. AWF’s Wildlife Library serves as a valuable resource whether you are a student, a curious naturalist, or planning a visit to Africa. The Wildlife Gallery contains useful information about a wide array of African animals and their habitats, behavior, diet, and the threats facing them today.