An Old World porcupine (genus Hystrix) with its defensive pelage The quills of Hystrix species have black bands on a light-colored background. (more) Do Porcupine Quills Grow Back? Written by Manjishtha Bhattacharyya Manjishtha Bhattacharyya is an editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. She holds a PhD in zoology from Vidyasagar University, West Bengal, and has more than seven years of experience in science communication... Manjishtha Bhattacharyya Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated May 26, 2026 •History Yes, they do, in case you were wondering whether shedding their quills leaves these spiny rodents with noticeable bald patches. Quills are modified hairs composed of keratin, a fibrous structural protein, and consist of an inner spongy core surrounded by a tough, hollow, shaftlike, pointed shell. They grow in clumps in porcupines found in Asia, Africa, and Europe, collectively known as Old World porcupines. In contrast, New World porcupines—those found in North and South America—have...

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