Crested Porcupine - Five Sisters Zoo

One of the largest species of rodents, the Crested Porcupine is best known for the large and sharp quills that cover much of its body. The quills are hollow, so the porcupine does not need to carry much additional weight, and the clacking noise they make when the porcupine moves acts as a deterrent to potential predators. Quills can range from 2-24cm in length and the porcupine is able to regrow ones that are lost during defence.

Facts

Diet: Herbivore; plants, bark, root crops and fallen fruit.

Weight:  10-25kg

Length: 60-80cm

Habitat: Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa and Italy. Crested Porcupines prefer savannahs, scrubland and grasslands.

Lifespan: 20 years

Adapted to Survive

  • Long, sharp quills deter predators from attacking
  • Dig deep dens for resting and breeding to stay safe from predators

Threats

  • Poaching for meat and traditional medicine
  • Human encroachment

IUCN Conservation Status

Least Concern

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