This story immediately reminded me of that nightmare both for the dog, the owners oh and I guess the Porcupine too. “This rodents eats with needles” So to start this debate are Woodrats related to Pack Rats and the answer is yes. Pack rats are often called woodrats, pack rats build nests or middens and can collect quite the trove of neat stuff.

I didn’t know this but the cactus with the spines have a  higher protein content.

Kohl and his colleagues believe that the rodent is choosing spines over an easier meal because the flesh of spiny cacti generally has a higher protein content and less fiber compared with naturally non-spiny cacti. In that sense, the woodrats are using the spines almost as a simple nutrition label.

Read more: http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/10779/20141128/rodent-eats-needles.htm#ixzz3KgU2ofxr