Cape Porcupine Facts. Brush-tailed porcupines live in small family groups of about eight members. The African crested porcupine is the largest porcupine in the world. The African cape porcupine is one of the largest members of the rodent family. head. There are about two dozen porcupine species, and all boast a coat of needle-like quills to give predators a sharp reminder that this animal is no easy meal. North American porcupine predators include fishers (carnivores in the weasel family), coyotes, wolves, bobcats and cougars. Porcupine quills are modified hair that has a thick coat and of keratin that is the same as the human nail. Offspring 1 - 4 Porcupettes. Porcupine comes from the Latin “porcus” for pig and “spina” for spine: “spiny pig”… BUT, they are not related to pigs. The African crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) is the largest porcupine in the world. As with all porcupines, the brush-tailed porcupine would back into the attacker and inflict damage with its quills. Different family groups can share resources. When it is confronted by a predator, the African crested porcupine raises the 12- to 13-inch quills along its head and back into a crest so its body appears larger and more threatening. Common Name Porcupine. This is a large species of porcupine, complete with a full compliment of defensive quills and has very few natural predators. The porcupine is the prickliest of rodents, though its Latin name means "quill pig." African Crested Porcupine. The African brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) is a species of rat-like Old World porcupine, indigenous to a broad belt of Africa ranging from Guinea on the west coast to Kenya on the east. The Cape porcupine is the largest porcupine in the world, alongside the nearly identical African crested porcupine. The African porcupine looks similar to the echidna but is not closely related. The quills are very sharp and they are not firmly attached to the skin. However, the one main problem for porcupines is fishers. They make little attempt to conceal themselves from potential predators. The meat of the brush-tailed porcupine is popular and is consumed in large quantities. African Crested Porcupine - Hystrix cristata The crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) is a species of rodent in the Hystricidae family. It has an elongated, rat-like face and body and short legs, tipped with clawed and webbed feet. When a porcupine is born, its quills are generally very blunt and soft, but as it grows, it starts hardening within a few months. New quills will grow in to replace lost ones. The more common name for this species is the crested porcupine. So one of these predators will sometimes kill and eat a porcupine by flipping it onto its back and biting into its vulnerable belly. But few animals know this porcupine-eating trick. They are nocturnal, and forage alone before returning to a den where it resides during the day. These can make noise when rattled. The life of an African crested porcupine. 8(100%) African Crested Porcupine. The spines on the tail are hollow, and used to make a rattling sound to scare away predators. Instead, the quills detach very easily. Cape Leopardess. The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), also known as the Canadian porcupine, is a large rodent in the New World porcupine family. They can also rattle their quills making a warning sound. [An African crested porcupine will] use all those defenses: the stomping, the rattling, and the shaking of the quills. In North America, pumas and fishers (marten-like mammals) are skilled porcupine predators. When attacked by a predator, the porcupine raises its quills so it looks twice its size, rattles its tail quills, and stomps its feet. On the tail, these quills are thinner and brush-like. Moreover, the most feared predator that feeds on porcupines are the fishers. Coyotes. The African porcupine is not a climber and forages on the ground. Find objects around your house that can function in the same way a porcupine's quills do. The porcupine has quite an … Porcupines have large black and white spines on their back which protects them from predators and these quills fall out easily and are found naturally in the wild. They weigh approximately 50 lbs. (Your vote has been cast.) Defense behaviour displays in a porcupine depend on sight, scent, and sound. Life Span 5 to 7 Years. The African crested porcupine is native to regions of Northern Africa, Southern Europe, and areas of the Mediterranean. predators. Another North American predator of the porcupine is the coyote, another versatile predator … [2], The brush-tailed porcupine occurs in Benin, Cameroon, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Togo and Uganda, in tropical rainforest at altitudes up to 3,000 m (9,800 ft). and are about 30” in length, and have very poor vision. The porcupine does not shoot its quills at predators; rather, it sheds them on impact so that they become imbedded in an attacker. They wear a coat of sharp quills all over their body. The African brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) is a species of rat-like Old World porcupine, indigenous to a broad belt of Africa ranging from Guinea on the west coast to Kenya on the east. Natural predators of this species include fishers (a cat -sized mustelid), wolverines, coyotes, wolves, American black bears, and cougars, as well as humans. But there seems to be a lot of confusion about whether porcupines shoot their quills. Their sharp spines and quills can fall off when coming into contact with a predator but grow back quickly. The African crested porcupine is the largest rodent in Africa, and the 3rd largest rodent in the world, behind the capybara and beaver. Where do porcupines live? But few animals know this porcupine-eating trick. If this fails, it runs backwards and rams the attacker with the short, thick quills on its backside. The brush-tailed porcupine has many native predators: leopards, large raptors and snakes; however, humans are their most prominent and constant predators. North American Porcupine Predators. The quills are mixed together with different sizes of spines. African crested porcupines have shorter tails than their New World cousins and the presence of rattle quills at the end of the tail make a hiss-like rattle when they vibrate. As with all porcupines, the brush-tailed porcupine would back into the attacker and inflict damage with its quills. They are herbivores, primarily eating roots, tubers, bark and fallen fruit, and will seek out cultivated root crops like potatoes and carrots, making them agricultural pests. If the above processes fail, the porcupine will attack by running sideways or backwards into predators. African crested porcupines are excellent diggers and live in an extensive burrow systems, caves, rock crevices or aardvark holes. The deep wounds inflicted from these attacks can prove fatal and crested porcupines have been known to injure lions, leopards, hyenas and even humans. Its quills protect it against such predators as Uganda Police. These prickles are wide, thin walled and hollow-tipped. The old world porcupine is brush-tailed generally live in parts of Africa and India whereas the new world porcupine lives in Canada, North and Central America. The porcupine is Africa’s largest rodent. Different family groups can share resources. The force to help the release of the quills is supplied by the contact with the would-be predator. The African crested porcupine is usually found in rocky, hill country but they are very adaptable animals who make their home in most types of environment, though there are a few exceptions. Their status is: Protected. African porcupines are herbivorous feeding on … Some quills, like those of Africa's crested porcupine, are nearly a foot (30 centimeters) long. There are two different families of porcupines. A Porcupine’s Scientific Name is Erethizon Dorsatum and Hystricidae. The porcupine species found within the Kruger National Park and within Southern Africa is known as the Cape Porcupine, the largest porcupine species on Earth. The echidna, also known as they the spiny anteater, is a type of monotreme covered in sharp, rigid spines and long, bristly hairs. Apex Predator. The sharp, sturdy quills of the African crested porcupine give it highly effective protection against predators. Your support will go toward food, veterinary care and enrichment. It lives in hilly, rocky habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Italy. In addition, predatory birds such as eagles and owls prey on porcupines. The adult weighs about 3 kg. The report, published in the Journal of East African Natural History in May, suggests that lions usually avoid porcupines, unless a shortage of prey drives them to the prickly critters. The African porcupine is found in greatly varied habitat. The quills are a modified hair, made from keratin like human hair, but hardened. But these backward-pointing defences are only effective if the rodent can keep its assailant to its rear. Honey Badger vs. Porcupine It's not called a honey badger because of its sweet nature. These porcupines have much longer quills than the North American porcupines you will see in our walkthrough. The African porcupine is not a climber and forages on the ground. They weigh approximately 50 lbs. These spines are very sharp and about 5 cm in length. Their spines are modified hairs coated with thick plates of keratin that are used to defend them from predators. Porcupines can not shoot quills but will attack predator by running backward and stabbing their enemy. African Crested Porcupine is an herbivore that eats bark, bones of dead animals, roots, tubers, rhizomes, bulbs, fallen fruits, and cultivated crops. An erectile crest of long, bristly hairs runs from the top of the head down to the shoulders. Defense. The brush-tailed porcupine is hunted in such large quantities, many in those areas fear that it is no longer a sustainable option. Appearance: Cape porcupines' bodies are covered with flat, bristly hairs, and they have large quills on their posterior back and sides that range from a couple of inches to a foot in length. Their quill lengths vary on different parts of the body, anywhere from 1” to 12” on their back. The answer is “no”. DISTRIBUTION. The solid and sharp quills, covering the body of this animal, serve as a mean of self-defense against predators and are 35 cm (14 in) in length, displaying alternating light and dark stripes. They are terrestrial, rarely climbing trees, but able to swim. These quills keep the rodent safe from predators and can even prevent a pride of lions from taking a porcupine down (true story!). They are herbivorous, feeding on leaves, flowers and fruits which have fallen to the forest floor. The word derives from the spines on the skin of this mammal. African Crested Porcupines are the 3rd largest rodent in the world, with some indivuduals weighing as much as 60lbs. FAST FACTS. The beaver is the only rodent in North America that is larger than the North American porcupine. If the noise doesn't work, the porcupine may try to charge backward into the predator. Scientific Name Hystrix cristata. Although they have been found at altitudes of 11,480 feet on Mount Kilimanjaro, they are not found in dry, empty deserts or damp forests. The porcupine’s head doesn’t have the quills found on its hindquarters. Alone, a porcupine can resist a pack of dogs by just hiding behind its bullet proof quill jacket. Bobcats, cougars and fishers have learned that a porcupine has no quills on its stomach. The African crested porcupine lives in hilly, rocky habitats in Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Italy. They live together sharing an elaborate burrow system, which they may remain in during winter, although they do not undergo true hibernation. If you burn a porcupine quill you get the same smell as if you are burning a human nail. oregonzoo.org/discover/animals/african-crested-porcupine, arkive.org/north-african-crested-porcupine/hystrix-cristata/, Web Design & Development: Chicago Digital. [3], Male and female form a pair bond during breeding season. The spines may be as long as 21 inches. So one of these predators will sometimes kill and eat a porcupine by flipping it onto its back and biting into its vulnerable belly. Close Search Bearizona Wildlife Park. If you were ever looking for an unusual piece of trivia, the porcupine … When the porcupine sees predators such as lion, leopard or hyena it will often “freeze”, in the hope that it won’t be noticed. Cape porcupines are the largest rodents in Africa and also the world's largest porcupines. Wikispecies has information related to Atherurus: Wikimedia Commons has media related to … The largest porcupine is the African Porcupine which can weigh over 20 kilograms (44 pounds). Type Mammal. How Does porcupine attack? They have quite acute hearing and will freeze when approached by predators, such as big cats, large predatory birds, or hyaenas. It is one of the largest rodents in the world. The quills are a modified hair, made from keratin like human hair, but hardened. Predators of the North African crested porcupine include lions, leopards, large birds of prey and hyenas. New quills will grow in to replace lost ones. Total votes: 8. Predators of the Heart - African Crested Porcupine - YouTube There is hystricidae, or Old World Porcupines, and Erethizontidae, the New World Porcupines.. The brush-tailed porcupine has many native predators: leopards, large raptors and snakes; however, humans are their most prominent and constant predators. When threatened, a crested porcupine stamps its feet, growls, and grunts to scare off the predator. Rodents like porcupines are usually easy prey to a range of predators. Description. On these particular arboreal species, quills on the tail are really hard, tough and also points backwards enabling them to stay and climb on the tree branches. About the only place it will avoid is a dense rainforest. They have shorter hind legs with four fingers on the front feet and 5 on the hind feet. Create your own quills! If this strategy doesn't chase off the predator, the porcupine stamps its feet, clicks its teeth, and rattles its hollow-tipped tail quills. They also eat roots and palm nuts, and occasionally carrion, and invade crops of maize, cassava and bananas when these are grown adjacent to the forest. These include foxes, wolves, owls, bobcats, and cougars. Rodents are mammals including rats, mice, porcupines, beavers, and more. 14K 2,572. The adult crested porcupine has an average head and body length around 60 to 83 cm (24 to 33 in) long, discounting the tail, and weighs from 13 to 27 kg (29 to 60 lb). Diet: The brush-tailed porcupine is mostly herbivorous. Turbo's longest quills can reach up to 13 inches. Defensive Skills. Porcupines have rounded bodies covered with many spines or quills and can be grey, brown or white in colour. When attacked by a predator, the porcupine raises its quills so it looks twice its size, rattles its tail quills, and stomps its feet. When attacked by a predator, the porcupine raises its quills so it looks twice its size, rattles its tail quills, and stomps its feet. and are about 30” in length, and have very poor vision. The black & white quills along the head and back can be raised into a crest, thus the name. Quills. The predators who attack the porcupines sharing one burrow are great horned owls, leopards, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions and wolves. Despite being a solitary forager, they live in small family groups consisting of an adult pair with their young. They are mature at about 2 years of age. A porcupine's tail is also able to swing in the direction of the predator. Meet Turbo. Taipan. The African crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) is the largest porcupine in the world. It is mostly nocturnal, but will sometimes forage for food in the day, eating bark, roots, fruits, and berries, as well as farm crops. It is unable to protect its head by rolling up like a hedgehog. Here is a compilation of wild animal hunting videos from our trip to the Maasai Mara in Kenya recently. Erect quills release easier from the porcupine after they have been pushed into the would-be predator's body. The African crested porcupine is usually found in rocky, hill country but they are very adaptable animals who make their home in most types of environment, though there are a few exceptions. If a predator approaches, it will first try to escape by running away. When attacked by a predator, the porcupine raises its quills so it looks twice its size, rattles its tail quills, and stomps its feet. If contact is made, the quills could be impaled into the predator causing injury or death. Description. There are two families of porcupines according to their origin: Old World porcupines and New World porcupines. An African crested porcupine's sharp, sturdy quills help protect it against predators. A. africanus – African brush-tailed porcupine; A. macrourus – Asiatic brush-tailed porcupine; Predators. On these particular arboreal species, quills on the tail are really hard, tough and also points backwards enabling them to stay and climb on the tree branches. As with all porcupines, the brush-tailed porcupine backs into the attacker and inflicts damage with its quills. Once a porcupine has stuck its quills into an enemy, the porcupine needs to quickly separate from the quills. The African crested porcupine is one of the largest rodents in the world, weighing up to 30 kilograms (kg), and growing nearly up to 1 meter (m) in length. The North African crested porcupine is nocturnal. Porcupines cannot shoot their quills at predators. The black & white quills along the head and back can be raised into a crest, thus the name. The African Porcupine is primarily nocturnal, although it may be seen during the day. 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