Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot throw or shoot their quills. However, because they are so lightly attached, the spikes can come off easily when under attack from a predator.

3. Porcupines cannot throw their quills. When a porcupine feels threatened, it tenses up and attacks predators with a swat of ...

"Despite the myth, porcupines can’t 'shoot' their quills, but the barbed quills detach easily when they feel threatened—making them tricky to handle," TWRA said. The agency said to be a ...