AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -There are very few predators that can successfully attack and feed on a porcupine because of the 30, 000 quills that cover their head back and tail running in a dorsal band. The quills are an ingenious defense because they each sit in a sheath that allows them to release easily when a predator touches them.

Detailed explanation-2: -Each toe has a strong curved claw this is an adaptation to help the porcupine in his forage for food. Because the porcupine cannot run fast nor appears very intimidating in size or appearance another special adaptation of the porcupine is its quills which are to help the porcupine defend itself from wouldbe predators.

Detailed explanation-3: -Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. These quills typically lie flat until a porcupine is threatened, then leap to attention as a persuasive deterrent. Porcupines cannot shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills do detach easily when touched.

Detailed explanation-4: -The hair and a thick layer of body fat helps keep the porcupine warm during the winter. The tail is extremely muscular and adapted to aid in climbing and defense. The upper surface of the tail is heavily covered with quills, while the underside is covered in bristle-like hairs used to aid in climbing.

Detailed explanation-5: -Sharp Quills The more than 30, 000 quills covering the body of a porcupine represent this critter’s most obvious and most effective defense adaptation. These are stiff, hollow hairs made of keratin and approximately three inches in length with a sharp barb at the end.