If you’ve recently brought your first hedgehog home or thinking about it then you may have heard rumors of them shooting their quills when angry or agitated. This can be scary because you never know when you may accidentally upset them and become the target of the sharp quills.

This article answers the question “Can a Hedgehog Shoot Quills?” by debunking the myth surrounding the defensive powers of the cute little mammal. We also reveal details about how they protect themselves from predators and why you have nothing to fear after building a bond with them.

Can a Hedgehog Shoot Quills?

Hedgehogs cannot shoot quills, unlike porcupines but they curl themselves in a ball to protect their underbellies from getting attacked by predators. The only way to get poked by their quills is to make unwanted physical contact or handle them wrongly.

Now that the myth is successfully debunked, you can go ahead to adopt or purchase your desired hedgehog without fear of being the target of their shot quills. Fortunately, the quills become duller the more relaxed they are at any point in time.

Providing proper care and maintenance can make them feel loved which translates to effortless relaxation in your presence. The result is a lower probability of getting poked by their quills even during accidental handling since they are typically not at their sharpest at that point.

Stress is also a common trigger of sharper quills in hedgehogs which is another good reason to give them the best care possible. Fear or threats can force them to raise their quills increasing the chances of getting poked and suffering painful consequences when handled.

Spines or Quills?

Hedgehogs technically have spines on their backs instead of quills but the two terms are often used interchangeably. The quills form a protective layer around their soft underbellies which are targeted by predators.

The average hedgehog has 5000 to 7000 spines or quills and the number may rise and fall depending on factors such as age and state of health. The active ingredient in their quills is Keratin, a protein found in the hair, nails, and skin in humans.

Hedgehogs exercise control over the quills depending on their moods at specific points in time. With the help of strong back muscles, they’re able to relax the quills when confident of no danger in their environments.

Relaxed quills appear flat making it easier to handle them with minimal risk of getting poked. On the other hand, a threatened or agitated hedgehog curls up into a ball to ward off predators. This makes the quills appear more upright increasing the risk of injuries during physical contact.

Avoid touching a hedgehog that is in the process of rolling up because your hand could get trapped causing significant pain and only handle them after uncurling.

Are Hedgehogs Related to Porcupines?

One of the most common misconceptions about hedgehogs and porcupines is that they’re biologically related. That couldn’t be further from the truth. For starters, porcupines are large rodents, unlike hedgehogs which are classified as mammals.

Porcupine bodies are much larger and also look significantly longer compared to hedgehogs which makes them appear huge in the eyes of the smaller mammal. It is only logical that the weight of a hedgie is much lighter than that of a porcupine.

The number of quills in hedgehogs is also much lower than in porcupines since it takes fewer numbers to occupy their whole back area compared to the larger counterpart.

Life expectancy is another area where there are major differences between the two animals. Hedgehogs can live from 3 to 8 years while their larger counterparts enjoy an average lifespan of 27 years.

Besides, most hedgehog varieties are insectivores that rely on insect protein sources including beetles, caterpillars, and snails except the African Pygmy Hedgehog which are omnivores that enjoy both plant and animal proteins. Porcupines are strict herbivores that eat plants and trees with no need for animal protein.

Finally, hedgehogs are native to Europe and some parts of Africa while porcupines originate from North America.

How to Avoid Poking Injuries From Your Hedgehog’s Quills

Hedgehogs may have spikes but that doesn’t mean you should suffer pokes every time you handle them. Here are a few ways to prevent injuries from their sharp spines.

Play With Them While Young

Hedgies may struggle to interact with humans when they do not receive socialization right from an early age. While newborns should be allowed to spend the first 12 weeks exclusively with their mothers, getting them used to human contact can be vital.

Most breeders start the socialization process even before weaning which can make things easier when you finally bring them home. Bonding is typically much smoother since they are already used to being handled by humans and do not see us as much of a threat.

Spending time together and engaging in different kinds of play could boost trust in you. The result is relaxation of their quills whenever they’re in your presence decreasing the risks of getting poked which can be quite painful.

Learn The Right Way to Handle Them

Failure to handle hedgehogs properly may lead to numerous poking accidents. With a soft underbelly, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that scooping that part of their body is the best formula for holding them to avoid the sharp quills.

Also, do not handle them randomly especially when they’re unaware of your presence because that can spook them into rolling into a ball as a defensive mechanism. You can start talking to them gently for a few minutes while they’re fully awake before scooping them up.

Allow Them To Smell You

Many folks handle pet hedgehogs with non-piercing gloves as a way to prevent poking incidents. While this may be effective in injury prevention, it can interfere with the ability to bond with your quill baby.

Hedgehogs have terrible vision and rely on their owners’ scent and voice to recognize them. Handling them with your bare hands allows them to smell and recognize your scent which could speed up how long it takes for them to become familiar with you.

Experts recommend allowing them to smell your hand for a few seconds every time you intend to pick them up. This ensures they know exactly who’s trying to make physical contact and avoid mistaking you for an enemy.

Which Animal Can Shoot Quills?

Porcupines do not exactly shoot their quills but they detach easily and in large numbers when predators or aggressors come close. Physical contact from the aggressor may lead to the detachment of several quills within a short period.

The quills appear in the form of sharp needles with rear barbs for easy piercing of the predator’s body but difficult removal. Predators have to endure agonizing pain to remove the quills which can ward them off from attacking porcupines for good.

Is a Hedgehog a Rodent?

Hedgehogs are classified as mammals and not rodents, just like Moles and Shrews. A quick look at their teeth makes it clear that they have a full set like humans unlike hamsters and other rodents that usually have large scary incisors.

Are Hedgehogs Prickly?

As you’re already aware by now, hedgehogs have a thick layer of spiky backs that can be very prickly when touched. The number of spikes, commonly known as quills may range from 5000 to 7000 in healthy adults and can be a source of pain when your hands get accidentally poked during physical contact.

Are Hedgehogs Friendly?

Hedgehogs can be friendly when in trusting environments with their owners. Unlike other pets that may be easily cuddled, physical contact will have to be limited to their soft underbellies. But they can be joyful additions to many homes.

Hedgehogs may also bond easily with humans as long as you know how to handle and play with them. Spending time together and offering occasional treats can strengthen your bond significantly.

Do Hedgehogs Bite?

Hedgehogs may have sharp quills that can poke the skin of humans and aggressors but they do not bite unless provoked. Even when they do bite, the pain is often negligible since their teeth are designed to pierce through bugs and insects instead of harder surfaces like the human skin.

The risk of hedgehogs biting the hands of their owners is slim especially after recognizing their scents and that explains why taking the time to bond with them is so important.

How Long Does it Take to Bond with A Hedgehog?

Hedgehogs need about 2 weeks of regular playtime to bond with their owners. They can be very friendly once they get to know you and letting them sniff your hand before handling them could be a great introduction.

They may be very paranoid during their first few days in a new home characterized by signs like moodiness and frequent coiling in a ball. As long as you’re patient and invest some effort into bonding, loosening up over time becomes natural and they are able to relax in your presence.

Conclusion: Can a Hedgehog Shoot Quills?

Hedgehogs do not shoot their quills in the face of predatory attacks from larger-sized animals. Instead, they roll up in a ball with their spikes pointed outwards to spook aggressors into walking away. Besides, hedgehog spikes or quills do not dislodge easily unlike porcupines that typically detach them in large numbers during attacks from stronger predators.

If you’re on the fence about raising one of these lovely quill babies because of the fear of being shot with their quills, you now know the truth about the popular myth. Hedgehogs are lovely pets that can be easy to play and bond with as long as you’re willing to invest the time for them to get to know you.