Crested porcupine
Hystrix cristata
Distribution
Northern half of Africa
Habitat
Savannah
Gestation
3.5 months
Number of pups
1 – 4
Longevity
21 years old
Weight
13 – 27 kg
Size
Body 60 – 83 cm, Tail 8 – 17 cm
Diet
frugivore, herbivore
Conservation status
:
Not Threatened
Whoever rubs shoulders with it gets pricked!
The porcupine’s body is covered with coarse, dark hair. Only its back, flanks and rump have long black and white spikes, some up to 45 cm long! If he is disturbed, he bristles these spikes, in order to appear more voluminous. It hits the ground with its hind legs, growls, and shakes its “bells” (tail spikes) which produces a kind of whistling sound. He then presents his rump, threatening, while getting closer to the intruder and planting his quills if necessary. These can lead to severe, sometimes fatal injuries!
Porcupines are rather nocturnal, your best chance of observing them will be to come at the end of the morning, at feeding time!
