African Crested Porcupine

Hystrix africae australis

Range: Southern Africa, as far north as southern Kenya in the east and Gabon in the west. Also on Zanzibar.

Habitat: This porcupines habitat is varied, including most areas where cover and food are available. Absent from moist rain forests and completely dry regions. They also inhabit mountainous regions up to 11,500 square feet.

Size/Weight/Longevity: This species has a head and body length of 25 to 34 inches, a tail length of four to seven inches, and attains a weight between 22 and 60 pounds. Old world porcupines have an unusually long life span for a rodent, living as long as 12 to 15 years in the wild.

Coloration: The upper side of the body is dark brown, the underside is blackish-brown and the throat band is white. The head, neck, shoulders and legs have thin bristles while the underside has thick grooved bristles. On the center line of the neck there is a white mane of wiry bristle hairs that can reach approximately 14 inches in length.The end of the tail has hollow bristles that are open at the end.These are known as the “rattle-quills.”

Habits: This species is active at dusk and at night, generally spending the day sleeping in self excavated burrows, rock cavities, under boulder heaps or in river thickets with several exits.There are often well worn paths leading from these shelters to favorite feeding grounds. When excited, the porcupines grunt. If threatened, they stamp their hind feet and rattle the rattle-quills. Occasional ground predators include leopards, lions and hyenas although the porcupine’s excellent defense is generally a deterrent. When in danger, the porcupine erects the quills and spines and jumps backward to drive the points into the opponent. If pursued, the animal may stop suddenly, causing the predator to run into the quills. Porcupines do not shoot their quills, but the quills come out easily.

Small family groups generally burrow although the female may establish a separate den to bear her young.Foraging is generally done alone except when parents accompany their young.

Diet: The diet consists of all parts of plants, including bark, tubers and roots, fallen fruit, insects, and occasionally carrion. Bones are also often chewed to obtain calcium as well as to hone the incisor teeth.

Reproduction/Gestation: Sexual maturity is reached at two years. In the wild, breeding usually takes place in the summer in South Africa and from July through December in mid-Africa. In captivity, it has been reported year round. Generally, two litters a year of one to four are born after a seven to eight week gestation. The young are about 10 ounces at birth with open eyes and soft, short quills. They suckle for up to two months although solid food is taken at approximately two weeks.They begin venturing out of the den at one week of age.

Similar Species: This species is closely related to the North African crested porcupine, Hystrix cristana. The crested porcupines are distinguished from the other Old World porcupines by the presence of rattle quills and a relatively shorter tail.

Status in the Wild: The South African crested porcupine is not listed on the Endangered Species List. However, due to the damage this species has done to cultivated crops, it has been exterminated in several parts of its range. Although the quills are naturally shed, the animals have been killed to take the quills for ornaments and charms.