In Old French language porcupine meant ‘spiked pig’.  Porcupines are solitary rodents who live in woodland.  There are 30 000 quills (modified hair shafts) which evolved as a defense against predators.  When attacked by a wolf or mountain lion, dozens of quills detach easily lodging themselves in the predator.  The detached quills inflict painful wounds, thus allowing the porcupine to escape.  They are native to Asia, Africa, Italy, North & South America.