Pillpig

Pillpigs are a species of mammals used as livestock around the world.

Pillpigs were created by /u/mbartelsm

Description
Pillpigs are a species of of livestock of medium size. Pillpigs have a characteristic keratin-based shell on their back, the shell is strong and flexible and can protect them from a wide variety of otherwise lethal threats, when wild pillpigs are in imminent danger they can roll into a ball and protect their soft tissues, most predators grow tired after a while and leave them. Quilled pillpigs have thorns on their shells that they use in order to drive away predators.

Originally native to warm and temperate climates, pillpigs have been selectively bred as livestock animals. The domestic pillpig is much larger and heavier than it's wild counterpart, and has a wider and stiffer shell which prevents it from rolling into a ball.

Diet
Pillpigs are omnivorous, though they will often prefer to eat plants instead of animals. They can survive on a diet of grass and corns.

Use
Pillpigs have been domesticated for their nutritious meat and their strong shells. Their shells can be treated with steam and hot water in order to mold them into the desired shape, the shells were used as early forms or armor before metal became widespread and are still in use for a wide variety of different applications and tools.