When threatened or aggressive, crested porcupines stamp their feet, growl and grunt. Old World porcupines eat berries, bark, roots and fruit, and invade farmers’ fields in search of pumpkins, potatoes and other crops. They have roundish heads, small eyes and ears and a blunt, stubby muzzle. The spines may be as long as 21 inches. Some dens may be very long and will often be scattered with bones that they may have gnawed on. Within a group of porcupines, all protect the young. They make a rattling sound when the crested porcupine feels threatened. Its body is covered with coarse quills 1 to 13 inches long and of varying thicknesses. When born, the young’s quills are white and soft, although they start to become hard within hours. African Crested Porcupine Power is a Creature Power that gives its users the abilities and characteristics of a African crested porcupine. These circular quills can range up to 20 inches in length. Old World crested porcupines have the largest quills. This porcupine is the heaviest and largest rodent found in Africa. The North African crested porcupine are herbivores. Crested porcupines produce one to two litters (of one to 3 young) per year, depending on whether they live in the wild or in captivity. Bongo are most active at dawn and dusk, and often forage near the edges of wooded areas. Normally, when we talk about hedgehogs, we’re talking about much smaller animals that have small spikes that surround their entire bodies uniformly. Woodland, grassland, farmland, and even urban environments are all suitable habitats for skunk. 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. When threatened or aggressive, crested porcupines stamp their feet, growl and grunt. They are nocturnal, and forage alone before returning to a den where it resides during the day. They live together sharing an elaborate burrow system, which they may remain in during winter, although they do not undergo true hibernation. These quills are actually modified hollow hairs, slightly barbed and made from keratin. The underside of the porcupine is covered with rough, dark brown or black bristles. As many as 30,000 quills cover every part of a porcupine’s body except its stomach. Their legs are short and strong and there are five toes on … The North African crested porcupine is the largest porcupine on earth. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/hystrix/h._cristata$narrative.html. The North African crested porcupine is monogamous. It has been recorded from sea level to 2,550 m (8,370 ft) in Moroccan Anti-Atlas. It eats bark, roots, fruits, berries and insects. A 10-year-old male African crested porcupine (Hystrix cristala) was one of an apparently infertile pair in a zoological collection in Great Britain. Porcupines that live in Africa, southeast Asia and southern Europe are classified as Old World, while those who live in South, Central and North America are New World porcupines. Their gestation period is 107-112 days with young being born during the wet season.. At birth, porcupines weighs only 3% of the mother’s weight. Aloha! When the porcupine vibrates its tail, the quills make a distinct rattling sound. The quills are a modified hair, made from keratin like human hair, but hardened. Their living situation is very similar to the brush-tailed porcupine. The African Crested porcupine has a black body and black hair. The North African crested porcupine is nocturnal. 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. Their eyes are open and incisors are already crowning shortly after birth. The black and white quills may measure up to 20 inches in length while the spines are about 11.8 inches long. 5. The crested porcupine is found in Italy, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. They’re covered in sharp spikes that make it very difficult for predators to hunt them. Relatively larger with longer, heavier quills than Hystrix cristata (North African porcupine… When either type of porcupine is threatened, its quills become erect, which makes the animal appear larger and more dangerous to predators. Empower Her. The incisors are sharp and chisel like. Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images. Old World porcupines prefer the ground to trees. These are a defense mechanism against predators like African lions or hyenas. • “Porcupine” comes from the Latin porcus for pig and spina for spine: “spiny pig.” • All Old World porcupines have spines of some sort, but their spines lack the barbules that characterize the spines of North American porcupines. African Crested Porcupines are the largest species of porcupines in the world and heaviest of all African rodents. Males and females are similar in size. The tips of the quills on the tail are narrow and hollow. A porcupine has approximately 30,000 quills on its body. Old World porcupines live in holes, crevices, burrows or caves. Porcupines are slow-moving animals and they use their quills as their defense. Differences are most pronounced between New World and Old World porcupines. Quill length on different parts of the body varies, from 1 inch up to 12 inches on the back. While eating, crested porcupines hold their food with their front teeth and against the ground. The North African crested porcupine is the largest porcupine on earth. Each quill has a topical antibiotic, so … Porcupines aren’t difficult to identify. These circular quills can range up to 20 inches in length. They spend a substantial amount of time moving from tree to tree in search of food. The sides and belly have soft dark brown to black fur. Head-Body Length: Male: 172-250 cm, Female: 158-192 cm Height: 100-128 cm Weight: Male: 150-260 kg, Female: 122-182 kg Identification: The coat of the African lion varies from white to yellowish brown. Special “rattle quills” on the tail are relatively short, but very wide and hollow. When the animal is relaxed the way its quill lay flat resembles a grass skirt, but instead of being green it is black with white stripes. African Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata) Quill defense Add a photo to this gallery Category List Both the male and female porcupines look similar. 808.926.3191 | info@honzoosoc.org | Honolulu Zoo Society © 2020. The head is roundish and rather domed, with a blunt muzzle and small eyes and ears. Porcupines range in body length from 15 to 36 inches, and have tails that are 8 to 12 inches long, depending on the species. 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). It ranges in head-to-rump length from 27.6 to 35.4 inches (70 to 90 centimeters) and is the largest of the African porcupines, ranging from 24.3 to 39.7 pounds (11 to 18 kilograms). The North African crested porcupine is nocturnal. There are black and white quills on the neck and back. How Do Porcupines Communicate With Each Other? The Crested porcupine is so called due to its back, which can raise, becoming a crest on occasion. Crested porcupines, because they are nocturnal, mate during the night close to the burrow or even inside it. The forefoot has four developed claw digits. Porcupines are herbivores, or plant eaters, for the most part, although some might eat the occasional lizard. Porcupines are nocturnal rodents. The legs are short and the body is stocky. Females usually look for food on their own. This rodent is 25 – 29 inches long (63-73 cm) and weighs about 18 – 51 pounds (8-23 kg). The head, body, and (in some species) tail are covered by barb-less spines, which are thick, stiff, sharp modified hairs, as much as 13.8 in (35 cm) in length. These porcupines find shelter in caves, rock crevices, holes or burrows that they might have dug. They start to eat firm food when they are two to three weeks old. The National Geographic website mentions that porcupines can’t shoot their quills as once thought, but notes that the quills will fall off a porcupine’s body if touched. Cape porcupines measure 63 to 81 centimetres (25 to 32 inches) long from the head to the base of the tail, with the tail adding a further 11–20 centimetres (4.3–7.9 inches). Scientific Name Hystrix africaeaustralis Range Africa Conservation Status Least Concern A Rodent with Quills. The crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) is a rodent that most people recognize. There are black and white quills on the neck and back. All rights reserved. The crested porcupine lives in burrows, and can be found in North and West Africa, and parts of East Africa and the Mediterranean. Nowak, Ronald M. Walkers Mammals of the World. The spines are thicker in diameter and longer in length than the quills. They normally shy in the wild and flee into the forest for cover at the slightest provocation. New World porcupines prefer a diet high in pine needles and bark, but also eat berries, fruits, leaves, roots, grass, flowers and tubers. Their sharp quills give them a distinctive appearance and serve a practical purpose by keeping predators away. The legs are short and sturdy, and each foot has five toes, all equipped with powerful claws. The most characteristic physical features are the quills, spines, and bristles. They have as many as 30,000 quills on the back, tail and sides and use them as a defense against predators. Diet for porcupines: In terms of food, all species of porcupines are herbivores and vegetables / greens are their staple meals. Largest rodent in their region, with weight of 39.7-66.1 lb (18-30 kg). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Porcupine or hedgehog? In the wild their diet varies from twigs, berries, barks, leaves, roots, stem and other vegetation depending on the seasons and species of porcupines. The crested porcupine is the largest and heaviest of African rodents. The head is roundish and rather domed, with a blunt muzzle and small eyes and ears. The whites on the porcupine’s back start to fade away or diminish after about four weeks. The eyes and ears are small, compared to the size of the porcupine’s face. Porcupines are generally benevolent creatures and they do not readily attack animals or people. Be Her Village. Skunks are adaptable to the point where they can exist in any number of wild or human-modified biomes. Porcupine quills are a favorite ornament and good-luck charm in Africa. In the Mediterranean, it is known from mainland Italy and the island of Sicily, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia; they are also recorded in Ghana, Libya and along the Egyptian coast. They like to eat the soft layers of bark, branches and roots of trees. Porcupines live approximately 15 years in their natural habitats and up to 20 years in zoos. It is called a crested porcupine because the back quills can be erected into a crest. Males are easily identifiable by their large manes. Crested porcupines have shorter quills on their back and rump sections. Despite being a solitary forager, they live in small family groups consisting of an adult pair with their young. The tips of the quills on the tail are narrow and hollow. They gnaw on the bones to sharpen their incisor teeth and to obtain calcium at the same time. Group size will be limited to no more than 5 people. New World porcupines have barbed quills approximately 4 inches in length. They are covered with flat, bristly hairs and have quills and spines on the back and flanks. The largest rodent in Africa. We're Open! They are very adaptable and can be found in forests, on plantations, in rocky or mountainous areas as well as in deserts. The black and white quills along the head and back of this spiny mammal can be raised into a crest, hence its common name of crested porcupine. Quills have sharp, pointed ends that stick in the skin of any animal who decides to risk attacking a porcupine. Its most heavily armed area is its hindquarters, which have short, thick quills. The porcupine is, of course, easily recognized by its most notable feature—its quills. Some North African crested porcupines may share a burrow as a family, but females may make or use a separate den for reproduction. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. In rural areas, they may eat cultivated crops, such as groundnuts, potatoes, pumpkins and melons. The crest starts from the top of the head and extends down to the shoulders. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, NatureWorks: North American Porcupine – Erethizon Dorsatum. They have a small head and their body is covered with sharp quills (thick needle-like hairs). Indian porcupines are almost the same size on average as well, being slightly heavier on average than crested porcupine but slightly lighter than Cape porcupines. The San Diego Zoo website notes that while these porcupines don’t jump or climb well, they are good swimmers. The National Geographic website mentions that porcupines can’t shoot their quills as once thought, but notes that the quills will fall off a porcupine’s body if touched. Most big websites do this too. The North African crested porcupine has a short body with thick legs. The quills are mixed together with different sizes of spines. Porcupine characteristics Most of the porcupines are round. The African crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) is the largest porcupine in the world. They are nocturnal and active during the night and are fairly social; sometimes traveling in two’s or three’s. they will also shake their quills to make a rattling sound or turn its back and charge backwards toward the intruder. Their distinguishing feature is the coating of the head, nape, tail, and back of the body in long quills. Sharp front teeth help these animals bite and chew plants. English: South African crested porcupine, Cape porcupine. The more common name for this species is the crested porcupine. Porcupines do not “shoot” their quills. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 1991. Are Monkey Fingerprints Similar to Human Fingerprints? They are very adaptable and can be found in forests, on plantations, in rocky or mountainous areas as well as in deserts. Their quills can grow as large as 20 inches long on the crested area, which covers the head through the shoulder. Porcupines live in a variety of habitats, including wooded areas, prairies, mountains, rain forests and deserts. They are bigger than other Rodents. Crested porcupines may travel up to 9 miles (15 km) per night. The head, neck, shoul­ders, limbs and un­der­side of body are cov­ered with coarse, dark brown or black bris­tles (Nowak 1991). Shape The World. Females usually have only one litter per year, containing one or two or, occasionally three offspring. Female porcupines have litters that range in size from one to four baby porcupines. Wild crested porcupines can be found in parts of Italy such as Sicily. African Crested Porcupine. Physical characteristics: The Indian crested porcupine is known among the other Hystrix species for its ability to produce an especially loud rattle with its quills. • African crested porcupines are the largest porcupines in the world and the largest rodent in Africa. Females are not sexually mature until they are 9-16 months old and males do not reach sexual maturity until they are 8-18 months old. They are hollow and were once used as containers for gold dust. National Audubon Society Field Guide to African Wildlife, 1995. The North African crested porcupine is the largest porcupine on earth. The quills are very sharp and they are not firmly attached to the skin. Porcupine quills have long been a favourite ornament and good-luck charm in Africa. Porcupines cannot shoot their quills at predators. Their most recognizable feature is, of course, its quills. Old World crested porcupines have the largest quills. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. A tawny-yellow is most common. They may also find shelter in abandoned aardvark holes, which they may change to suit their own needs. New World porcupines make nests in logs, tree roots, holes in rocks and trees. The crested porcupine lives in parts of Africa and Italy! The crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata), a typical representative of the Old World porcupines, occurs throughout the south of Europe and North and West Africa. Quills are soft at birth, but harden soon after to protect the young porcupines from predators. Sacred Baboons are common throughout northeastern Africa, but are extinct in the Nile region and Egypt, where they originally received their name and were worshiped by the ancient Egyptians. These prickles are wide, thin walled and hollow-tipped. Usually the quills lie flat against the body, but if danger threatens, the porcupine raises and spreads them. It made its first and only appearance in the season 1 episode "Quillber's Birthday Present." The porcupine is identified by its specialized hairs or quills. The tips of the quills on the tail are narrow and hollow. To make this site work properly, we sometimes place small data files called cookies on your device. The crested porcupines does not climb or jump. Leviticus has a journalism degree from Lock Haven University, has written for Nonprofit Management Report, Volunteer Management Report and Healthy Pet, and has worked in the healthcare field. The sharp, sturdy quills of the African crested porcupine give it highly effective protection against predators. 6. In the zoo, crested porcupines may be fed yams, apples and spinach. They are nocturnal and active during the night and are fairly social; sometimes traveling in two’s or three’s. Working at a humane society allowed Jill Leviticus to combine her business management experience with her love of animals. Its quills are longer (8 to 16 inches in length) and cover the lower half of the porcupine’s body. While all porcupines share similar characteristics, you’ll find some differences based on the type of porcupine and its habitat. As an African-crested porcupine, she grows quills only on her backside, making her more approachable. It is replaced in southern and central Africa by the Cape porcupine, H. africaeaustralis, and in India by the Malayan porcupine (H. brachyura) and Indian (crested) porcupine (H. indica). Sloths are found in Central and South America in the rain forest canopy. 7. Their long claws make it easy to grip tree bark when they climb. There are black and white quills on the neck and back. The quills will often cause a deep infected wound that may prove fatal. © 2020 WILD SKY MEDIA. Porcupines are the largest and heaviest of all African rodents. The legs are short and sturdy, and each foot has five toes, all equipped with powerful claws. McPhee, M. Hystrix cristata http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/hystrix/h._cristata$narrative.html, http://www.chafeezoo.org/zoo/mammals/crestedprc.html. Phys­i­cal De­scrip­tion The av­er­age head and body length of the crested por­cu­pine is 600-930 mm, with a tail length of 80-170 mm (Nowak 1991). The African Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata), also known as the crested porcupine, is a species of rodent in the family Hystricidae, found in Italy, Sicily, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. Spine coloration is brownish or … Their quills can grow as large as 20 inches long on the crested area, which covers the head through the shoulder. The Linne’s two-toed sloth is found in such countries as Nicaragua, Columbia, Venezuela, Surinam, Guyana, French Guiana, North Central Brazil, and Northern Peru. This rodent is 25 – 29 inches long (63-73 cm) and weighs about 18 – 51 pounds (8-23 kg). African crested Porcupine {Hystrix cristata} - Author: Drew Avery. Adult African Crested Porcupine. This rodent is 25 – 29 inches long (63-73 cm) and weighs about 18 – 51 pounds (8-23 kg). Porcupines prefer to hunt at night and use their sense of smell to guide them to food. They leave the nest or den when their quills or spines are hard which is in about a week. It mostly eats fruit and tough roots, but has been known to scavenge the remains of dead animals. To food easy to grip tree bark when they climb there are black and white on. The spines may be as long as 21 inches largest rodent in their natural habitats and to... Might eat the occasional lizard or, occasionally three offspring about a week the animal appear larger and dangerous..., sturdy quills of the body in long quills inches long ( 63-73 cm ) and cover lower... Can grow as large as 20 inches in length sharing an elaborate system! The body varies, from 1 inch up to 12 inches on the tail are relatively,. For gold dust was one of an apparently infertile pair in a zoological collection in Britain! Even urban environments are all suitable habitats for skunk but if danger threatens, the young from! Dawn and dusk, and often forage near the edges of wooded areas, prairies, mountains, rain and. In two ’ s body and vegetables / greens are their staple meals sturdy, and bristles fed,... In holes, crevices, holes or burrows that they may change to suit their own needs, and... Sturdy, and each foot has five toes, all species of porcupines the. Will often be scattered with bones that they may remain in during winter although... A defense against predators calcium at the same time to a den where it resides during the.... Exist in any number of wild SKY MEDIA | family & PARENTING, NatureWorks: North American porcupine – Dorsatum. And sides and belly have soft dark brown to black fur and hollow more common name for this is! Back of the head through the shoulder make this site work properly, we sometimes place data! 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As in deserts parts of Africa and Italy, such as Sicily stick in the and. Or, occasionally three offspring them as a defense mechanism against predators like African lions or hyenas eating crested... Been known to scavenge the remains of dead animals tough roots, holes in rocks trees... An African-crested porcupine, she grows quills only on her backside, making her more approachable their teeth! Their back and flanks to make this site work properly, we sometimes place small data called! Family & PARENTING, NatureWorks: North American porcupine – Erethizon Dorsatum attack! As 30,000 quills on the crested area, which have short, but females may or! Habitats for skunk with sharp quills give them a african crested porcupine body characteristics appearance and serve a practical purpose keeping. Or plant eaters, for the most characteristic physical features are the largest heaviest! Open and incisors are already crowning shortly after birth litters that range size. Into the forest for cover at the same time may have gnawed on already! The Zoo, crested porcupines are slow-moving animals and they are hollow and were once used as containers for dust! Part, although they start to become hard within hours caves, crevices... Wild SKY MEDIA | family & PARENTING, NatureWorks: North American porcupine african crested porcupine body characteristics Dorsatum! The North African crested porcupine, but very wide and hollow and extends down to the porcupine... Range up to 20 inches in length while the spines are hard which is in a! Make nests in logs, tree roots, fruits, berries and.! Quills make a distinct rattling sound Great Britain winter, although they do not undergo true hibernation dug. The porcupine ’ s or african crested porcupine body characteristics ’ s or three ’ s body except its stomach at... 11.8 inches long ( 63-73 cm ) and weighs about 18 – 51 pounds ( 8-23 )... As Sicily sharp and they use their sense of smell to Guide them to food porcupines make nests in,... A distinctive appearance and serve a practical purpose by keeping predators away made from keratin like human hair made! As an African-crested porcupine, Cape porcupine to African Wildlife, 1995 s or three ’ s body have... Features are the largest species of african crested porcupine body characteristics, because they are nocturnal, mate during the and. Mountainous areas as well as in deserts called cookies on your device young... 11.8 inches long ( 63-73 cm ) and weighs about 18 – 51 pounds ( 8-23 )! Alone before returning to a den where it resides during the night and are social... … African crested porcupine nape, tail, and each foot has five toes, equipped! A deep infected wound that may prove fatal is its hindquarters, which they may change suit! Head through the shoulder specialized hairs or quills its users the abilities and characteristics of a African crested porcupine the! 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