African porcupine
The African porcupine, also known as the African crested porcupine, is a large rodent native to northern Africa and parts of the Mediterranean coast, with some populations in sub-Saharan Africa. These animals typically grow to a length of 23 to 33 inches (60 to 83 centimeters) and weigh between 28 and 60 pounds (12 to 27 kilograms). Characterized by their long, sharp quills and poor eyesight, African porcupines rely on their acute sense of smell and hearing to locate food, which primarily consists of roots, bulbs, berries, and fallen fruit, complemented by occasional insects and small vertebrates.
Socially, they are monogamous and form long-term pair bonds, mating during November and December, with a gestation period of about 112 days. Their young are born with soft quills that harden over time, and females usually have two or three litters each year. With a lifespan of around twenty-eight years, African porcupines have few natural predators due to their formidable quills, which can inflicts serious injuries on attackers. However, they face significant threats from humans, who may kill them to protect crops, for their meat, or for their quills, which are used in decorative art. Understanding the African porcupine’s ecological role and the challenges it faces can foster a greater appreciation for this unique species.
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African porcupine
The African porcupine, also known as the African crested porcupine, is native to northern Africa and countries along the Mediterranean coast. Some may also be found in sub-Saharan Africa.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Hystricidae
Genus: Hystix
Species: Cristata
African porcupines grow to a head and body length of between 23 and 33 inches (60 to 83 centimeters) and weigh between 28 and 60 pounds (12 to 27 kilograms). Like all porcupines, they are covered with fur and have long, sharp quills, or needles, extending from their bodies. African porcupines live in cracks between and under rocks or in burrows (underground tunnel systems) in Africa and some parts of southern Europe.
African porcupines have very poor eyesight. When hunting for food they have to use their good senses of smell and hearing. African porcupines can hear fruit dropping from trees a few yards away. These porcupines usually eat at night. They eat roots, bulbs, berries, and fallen fruit. African porcupines may supplement their diet with insects and small vertebrates. They also drink a lot of water.
African porcupines are monogomous and often form long-term pairs. They mate in November and December. The gestation period (duration of pregnancy) is about 112 days. The female then gives birth to a litter of one or two young in a designated chamber in their burrows. The young are born with soft quills that eventually get harder. Females usually have two or three litters each year.
Usually African porcupines are safe from other animals because of their long, sharp quills. Predators will only attack when there is no other food source available. When a porcupine is fighting with another animal it will run backwards into its attacker, poking it with its quills. The quills easily come off the porcupine and stick into the predator. Even if the porcupine dies in the fight, the predator may later die from the wound from the porcupine's quill.
The life span of the African porcupine is about twenty-eight years. The African porcupine faces threats from humans who poison the animal to prevent them from eating crops and who also kill the animal for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some cultures. Sometimes the African porcupine is killed for its quills, which are used in ornamental art.
Bibliography
“African Crested Porcupine.” Oregon Zoo, www.oregonzoo.org/animals/african-crested-porcupine. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.
McPhee, Elsbeth. “ADW: Hystrix Cristata: Information.” Animal Diversity Web, 2003, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hystrix‗cristata. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.
“Wildlife Conservation - Porcupine.” African Wildlife Foundation, 2024, www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/porcupine. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.