Porcupines are large rodents with coats of sharp spines, or quills, that protect them against predators.
Porcupines are strict herbivores that eat a wide variety of plant material, including leaves, roots, berries, seeds, buds, and fruit. Depending on the season, they also heavily rely on tree bark, conifer needles, and twigs. To get essential minerals like salt, they sometimes chew on bones, antlers, or human-made wooden objects.