Needleback

Large and docile for the most part, Needlebacks get their name from the dense forest of long sharp needles on their backs stretching from the top of their head to their tails. These herbivores travel in herds, settling in areas with sufficient undergrowth to graze on before moving on. Their large numbers and prickly exterior ward off most, but not all predators. When forced to fight for their lives, a Needleback will use its weight and spikes to make quick work of most assailants or, if all else fails, curl into a ball. In this position, the only areas not covered in needles are its sides, one of which is pressed against the ground and the other is only accessible from above, requiring its attackers to leap down onto it or climb through its spikes. This severally limits the number of creatures capable of successfully hunting them.