Spine (biology)

A spine is a rigid, pointed surface protuberance or needle-like structure on an animal, shell, or plant, presumably serving as a defense against attack by predators. For examples: the quills of a porcupine, the needles of a cactus, or the prickles of a shrub like the rose are all spines. Although spines generally serve as a passive defense mechanism, in some species they can be hollow and contain poisonous substances that cause lasting pain or even paralysis.

Related Topics:
Animal - Shell - Plant - Porcupine - Cactus - Shrub - Rose - Poison - Pain - Paralysis

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