Porcupine

Contrary to popular belief, the Porcupine does not shoot its quills. When threatened by a weasellike animal , it turns its back to the enemy, raises its approximately 30,000 quills, and strikes out with its tail. The Porcupine is a large (18-23 inches) nocturnal rodent. If seen during the day, it appears as a round, dark shape high in a tree. At night it clambers from tree to tree. This was a very big one. It looks like a female.