Margaret Seagull is a taxidermist and osteologist (a person who studies the structure and function of the skeleton and bony structures), and on her Instagram account you can find a variety of taxidermy/osteology related posts (which may make some squeamish).
A recent series featuring the skeleton of a hedgehog, along with its distinctive spine and hollow ‘hairs’ made stiff with keratin, was recently shared on reddit where I came across the series of images.
According to Wikipedia, their spines are not poisonous or barbed and unlike the quills of a porcupine, do not easily detach from their bodies.
[Margaret Seagull on Instagram via reddit]
Photograph by Margaret Seagull
Photograph by Margaret Seagull
Photograph by Margaret Seagull
Photograph by Margaret Seagull
