Why is it when people hold hedgehogs with the prickles on their palms do the prickles not hurt?

Question

Heres a link to a picture of what I am talking about > http://www.mark-ju.net/images/hedgehog.jpg

Answer 1

yeah! that's what I'm wondering about...

Answer 2

Unlike a porcupine, hedgehog quills aren't meant to come out inside an animal. They're on the hedgehog to protect it and don't come off easily.

Answer 3

Because the weight of the hedgehog does not put enough pressure on the needles to make them pierce your skin.

Howver. if you were to put the hedgehog on the ground and press on it's needles, then the result would be different.

Answer 4

Well they are not like knives or anything you can stomach it lol

Answer 5

because there are lots of prickles that are evenly distributed and so because hedgehogs are not very heavy, there is not enough pressure to cause any pain.

i think... possibly...

Answer 6

You have just discovered the secret to the old magic/illusionist trick of lying on a bed of nails.

Because of the large surface area you feel no pain. Unlike the small surface area of just one pin prick which hurts.

Answer 7

If you have ever worked with tools you would know how this is possible. the skin hardens over time working with steel tools in your hand.

Answer 8

It's how people can sit on a bed of nails - your weight evenly distributes over the nails, allowing you to sit (relatively) comfortably on top.