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Porcupine

The African crested porcupine is the largest porcupine in the world. It’s body is covered with quills that range in size from 1 to 13 inches long and they vary in thickness. The African crested porcupine’s hind end is most heavily armored with quills that are thick and shorter. When threatened, the porcupine will raise its long quills along its head and back to make themselves appear larger. If that doesn’t scare off the predator it will rattle its tail that has hollow quills to ward off the predators. If all else fails it will run backwards and ram into the predator, leaving quills behind.

  • Meet the Porcupines
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Fabio von Prickles

Fabio von Prickles

Lifespan

African crested porcupines live, on average, 6-10 years in the wild. In captivity they can live up to 20 years.

Shape & Size

Adult African crested porcupines can range between 1.5-3 feet long. They can weight between 20-65 pounds. Males and females are typically similar in size. They are covered in quills that can range in size from 1-13 inches and these quills, when raised, help them appear larger to predators.

Color Pattern

Porcupines are black with white tipped quills.

Behavior

African crested porcupines are monogamous. Females typically have one litter a year and can have between one and four offspring. Because they are rodents, their teeth keep growing throughout their lives and spend a lot of time chewing on bark or branches to wear down their teeth.

Habitat

African crested porcupines are highly adaptable. They can live wherever vegetation is available. They prefer wide open spaces rather than wooded or bushed areas. They dig holes in the ground or use rocky crevices for shelter.

Principal Threats

Currently, African crested porcupines are not endangered. They are, at times, hunted or poisoned by farmers if they are found to be eating in the fields of farmlands. Habitat loss and human-animal conflict remain the main threat to African crested porcupines.

Hystrix cristata

Range Map

Range

African crested porcupines can be found in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Food

African crested porcupines are herbivores and only eat vegetation. They eat roots, bulbs, and bark. In areas where their food is deficient of phosphorous, they will chew on bones. 

Reproductive Habits

Females typically have a litter of offspring every year. In the litter they can have between 1-4 babies. Over half of the litters are single births. The offspring are born with soft quills and bristles that harden as they grow. Their eyes are open and they have teeth when they are born.

Behavior

African crested porcupines live in small family groups called prickles. They are nocturnal and spend the majority of their day sleeping. At night they will head out of their den to forage for food. Though they appear clumsy and slow, porcupines can out run a person if disturbed. 

Conservation

African crested porcupines are listed as 'least concerned' on the IUCN Red List. They are at time hunted for their quills or killed by farmers who view them as pests. 

Fun Facts

  • Baby porcupines are called porcupettes.
  • A family of porcupines is called a prickle.
  • The word porcupine means quill pig.
  • African crested porcupines are the largest porcupine on earth.
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1940 Hanks Chapel Rd.
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Carolina Tiger Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit wildlife sanctuary whose mission is saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild.

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Carolina Tiger Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit wildlife sanctuary whose mission is saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild.

Carolina Tiger Rescue

1940 Hanks Chapel Rd. Pittsboro, NC 27312 (919) 542-4684 (919) 542-4454 info@carolinatigerrescue.org

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  • We believe the ideal home for wildlife is in the wild.
  • We believe it is critical to conserve their native habitats.
  • We believe wild animals should not be kept as pets.
  • We believe captive breeding should ONLY be done in accordance with Species Survival plans.
  • We believe all wild animals, both captive and in their native habitats, deserve to be treated with respect and not exploited for entertainment and commercial purposes.
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Coming out for a tour is a great way to learn more about the animals that call Carolina Tiger Recue home. We offer many different types of tours.  Public tours are great for adults and families. Twilight tours are for adults only (18 years of age and older). Tiger Tales are a perfect option if you want to bring out really young children. Find the tour that is right for you and enjoy a walk through the sanctuary.

For all tours, tickets must be purchased in advance.

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Education is key to our mission.  We enjoy teaching "kids" of all ages!  Our field trips, both virtual and onsite, are ideal for groups of kids.  Our "Kid for a Day" Adult Camp provides a unique learning opportunity while allowing adults to channel their inner child.  While all of these opportunities are structured differently, in the end we want everyone to walk away knowing more about the animals we care for and what they can do to help protect them.

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