(haipo) - The porcupine is one of the most fascinating and special animals common in Israel. The most common type in our districts is the common porcupine, which can be found in all areas of the country, from the desert in the south to mountainous areas in the north, including here in Haifa. If you ask any Haifai, he will probably tell you that he once encountered a porcupine that suddenly passed him on the street.
Following the unusual case that happened recently, in which a man from the north was injured by 41 spikes sent at him by a porcupine, we have brought you some important facts about this special animal - the porcupine.
A porcupine turned its back to you and raised its spines? Move away immediately!
Last Saturday (17/8/24), as I recall, Shalom Younisi was injured in Hazor HaGalilit, by a porcupine that "shot" him with 41 spikes that stuck in his hands and palm. Younisi was rushed to Ziv Hospital in Safed, was put in the shock room and treated afterwards by Orthopedist and vascular specialist. In the end, all the thorns were successfully removed from his body.
Yonesi's injury was defined as dangerous, since the spines of the spur penetrated deep into his body and caused a nerve injury, both in his leg and in his hand, and he still has to undergo a surgical and rehabilitation process until he fully recovers. It is important to note that this is an unusual event, both in terms of the severe injury and in terms of the large number of thorns.
Common in different regions throughout the country
The porcupine is one of the most fascinating and special animals in the Israeli landscape. In Israel, the common porcupine (Hystrix indica) is the most common, and is the largest animal in the rodent family in Israel. It is characterized by long black and white spines, which provide it with natural protection from predators and is common throughout the country, from the desert areas in the south to mountainous areas in the north, including the Haifa area.
The porcupine is a vegetarian, and feeds on a wide variety of plants, tubers, fruits and tree barks. Sometimes it even causes damage to agricultural crops.
A suitable habitat in Haifa
The Haifa area is steeped in natural areas, where the porcupine can find a suitable habitat. You can meet porcupines in areas such as the Carmel forests, and the open areas around the city. The porcupine lives in caves, burrows and rocky areas, where it hides during the day and is active mainly at night, and you can often meet it on the street during a night walk.
Are porcupines dangerous?
Porcupines are generally not dangerous to humans and do not attack without provocation. However, when the porcupine feels threatened, it may defend itself with its sharp spines. In a threatened situation, the porcupine may turn its back towards the threat and release spikes that can cause a painful injury. These injuries can be dangerous, especially if the spikes get stuck in the skin or cause infection.
The best way to prevent injury from porcupines is to avoid getting too close to them, especially if you see a porcupine in a natural area. You must keep your distance, avoid panicking or surprising the porcupine, and let it pass peacefully.
The porcupine only attacks when it feels threatened. Normally, it will prefer to run or hide, but if it has no other way out, it will turn its back and spread its spines for protection. Aggression on his part is an act of self-defense only.
Precautions *If it turns its back and raises its spines, stay away*
- Keep your distance - Do not approach the porcupine if you have encountered it in the wild. Give him enough room to move and move away.
- Avoid surprises - Avoid startling a porcupine or approaching it suddenly.
- Do not try to touch - The spines of the spur are very sharp and may penetrate the skin. Do not try to pet or pick up a spur.
- Pay attention to warning signs – If a porcupine turns its back and raises its spines, move away immediately.
- Be vigilant at night - Porcupines are active at night, so if you are traveling after dark, be alert for their presence.
- The porcupine is part of Israel's diverse ecosystem, and by observing the rules of caution you can enjoy the encounter with it without endangering yourself.
The injured man is probably lying. Tried to hunt or catch the porcupine. In short, he deserves the damage. Totally unreliable.
One of the important things missing from the article is the very fact that the porcupine does not shoot/throw its spines.
The porcupine raises its spikes and then it either stops suddenly (if chased) or runs backwards quickly (toward the threat). Then all the spikes that have been successfully driven are detached from it.
You have to think of the spikes like really hard hair, they don't fly, they break off.
In addition, the spur spines also fall out as a natural part of changing spines (like hair)
One thing I did not understand, where was the Israeli police in this story? where 👮
The porcupine does not attack and does not 'shoot' arrows. I have a couple of spurs who adopted me and brought them to visit a yard. I grew tomatoes, because of the high price they didn't leave.
Chutsamza destroyed all the avocado crops, they dig and pull out the tubers. Planting beets to get beets and chard. The spur likes the taste. He ate and crushed the beets but spat them at your mark after cutting the beets into tiny pieces. In his attempt to find prey to eat, he digs in the bed to a moving depth like the boys who mark the back and sides of the circle. Still, they didn't understand the hint. - So I added fortifications and barriers. And I also left a big thank you that the garden is a private area, and the porcupines brag in every language of asking the dog to sit in the garden. It's hard to believe, but it turns out that the porcupine is not intelligent and can read. I wrote in clear letters and that's how the problem was solved in my garden. I will try to get a patent for keeping away porcupines. Sometimes I meet porcupines late at night. Then they turn their backs on me and show me where they entered from. Of course I installed another sign this time in Arabic as well as Hebrew
The porcupine's method of defense so that it does not become a victim, is that when it runs away from a potential madman, it nails its spines - while running away - and suddenly it makes an emergency stop, and the surprised enemy, who was already a step away from sticking his jaws into the porcupine, enters the animal in front of him, that is, with the sharp spines. The porcupine hurries to detach itself from its spines (new ones will grow) and safely moves away from the predator who will remain hungry for a few more days...
Another one of the stories of a thousand nights and a night of the cousins!
Bertha regret.
A spur doesn't launch spikes or spikes. Whoever wrote the article has seen too many movies.
If the guy got stabbed by the thorns that really got stuck in him or he walked in the dark and fell on a porcupine or tried to grab it with his bare hands
More inclined to choose the second reason.
A porcupine can't shoot spikes!
The spikes come loose from the porcupine's body if they get stuck in something, but they don't fly through the air