African Crested Porcupine
Scientific Name: Hystrix cristata
Habitat: savanna, forest, rocky areas, mountains, agricultural lands
Diet: roots, bulbs, berries, fallen fruits, bark, cultivated crops
Life span: 12 years (20 years in captivity)
Young: 1-3 young/litter
Size: 13-27 kg (30-60 lbs)
These nocturnal porcupines are known for their long, sharp, unbarbed quills. They cannot shoot these quills, but when threatened the porcupines charge backwards into their enemy. Although the quills are not poisonous, they are difficult to remove, causing infection and possible death.
When foraging, African crested porcupines sometimes drag old bones back to their dens to gnaw on for calcium.
Learn more about this species:
These are some other websites that we think have more great information about this species.
African crested porcupine on Animal Diversity Web
For More Information
Edmonton Valley Zoo
13315 Buena Vista Road (87th Avenue)
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7
| attractions@edmonton.ca |
