My county fair cucumbers seem to be different every year. But I don't care, since they are the only variety I can grow that doesn't attract cucumber beetles.

This year, they have really sharp spines. I got to wondering.....are the presence of the spines an indication that they aren't completely ripe yet? Teleologically, I think the spines are to keep animals (and people) from eating the fruit/veggie before the seeds are totally mature. Does that mean it would be best to wait to pick the cucumber until the spines don't hurt so much?

But I guess we probably eat these things prematurely (in terms of the seed's maturity), and they still taste good.
I just like understanding why things happen!

I imagine there is lots of breeding going on that sort of clouds what nature's original intent was.