porcupine quill
Barbed defensive needle
A porcupine quill is one of the sharp, barbed spines that cover a porcupine's body as defense against predators.
The quills detach easily on contact and are difficult to remove because of backward-facing barbs.
Native American and First Nations craftwork traditionally uses dyed quills for decorative beadwork and embroidery: a porcupine quill basket.
- spineColumn of vertebrae
- barbBackward-pointing spike
- needlePointed implement for sewing
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- sharp pointTapered piercing terminus
defensive · body armor · rodent · bristle · prickle · thorn · stab · hollow · keratin · wildlife · hedgehog · poke out · armor · pierce · spiny · fur · woodland · critter
- spinesbackbone, cactus spine, spine, vertebra, spinal column
- bristlesbristles, setae, toothbrush bristles, seta
- quill writingnib, ink, parchment, vellum, goose feather
- quill partscalamus, nib, shaft, barb, vane
porcupine quillsoft fur
Smooth animal hair
down feathers · silk · velvet · underbelly · fleece
porcupine quillrabbit fur
Pelt from a lagomorph
chinchilla fur · down · velvet · fleece · cashmere
porcupine quillrabbit fur
Pelt from a lagomorph
cotton · mink · chinchilla fur · cashmere · smooth skin