AFRICAN CRESTED PORCUPINE
- animalsinfofitcpfk
- Apr 21, 2021
- 1 min read
Common Name: African Crested Porcupine
Scientific Name: Hystrix cristata
Class: Mammals
Diet: Herbivore
Size: The adults can grow to between 60-83cm long with a tail of 8-17cm long, and weighs between 13-27kg.
Average Lifespan: 12 - 28 years
Origin: Italy, North Africa & Sub - Saharan Africa
Conservation Status: Least concern (IUCN, 2016)
Physical Description
The African Crested Porcupine have sharp and sturdy quills along their sides and back half of body that used for protection and defensive their self against predators.
The head, neck, shoulders, limbs and underside of their body covered with coarse, dark brown or black brittles.
Habitat
Forests, rocky areas, mountains & sandhill deserts
Did You Know?
It is the one of the largest species of porcupine from Africa.
Contrary to the belief, porcupines do not shoot their quills/ spine.
In order to defend themselves, they have 3 steps to give caution:
1. They will just expands the quills to make the body seems bigger in size.
2. They will shake their tail and body to make sounds.
3. They will step their feet and move backward towards the attacker to rush them away.
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