Sounds like a porcupine.
Yes it is but cane is short for primocane.
To effectively prune primocane blackberries for optimal growth and fruit production, prune the canes in late winter or early spring by cutting back the lateral branches to about 12-18 inches in length. Remove any weak or damaged canes, as well as any canes that are overcrowded. This will promote new growth and encourage the plant to produce more fruit.
Jessica M. Cortell has written: 'Effect of floricane number on primocane growth, yield components, and cold hardiness in 'Marion' trailing blackberry' -- subject(s): Blackberries, Yields, Hardiness, Pruning, Effect of cold on
Blackberries produce canes from the roots each year which only live for two years-- the first year cane, called a primocane, usually doesn't produce fruit. If it survives to the 2nd year, it's called a floricane and produces fruit and then dies, so if there are annual rings, there are only 2 of them.