Herbivore - fruit, bulbs, roots, bark, crops, sometimes carrion. Both the male and female African Porcupines weigh from 10 to 24 kilograms (22 to 53 pounds) with very large specicimens weighing up … Cape porcupines are a terrestrial species of porcupine, otherwise known as “Old World” porcupines. If the title of this article were to be taken literally and we were to pit one porcupine against the other, I would have to give the edge to the African porcupine. Porcupines are large rodents. Size. Discounts and news about special Zoo savings. Old World porcupine quills don't have the barbs found on the quills of New World porcupines, but they can still get stuck in the flesh of an attacking animal! About African Crested Porcupine Coloring Page. The African Porcupine is a type of Rodent that has long sharp spines, up to 50cm long, which cover its whole back and can be raised by muscles under the skin. One of Africa’s 2 largest rodents (the other is the crested porcupine, Hystrix cristata) (Barthelmess 2016b). Despite being a protected species in Italy, the crested porcupine is considered as an agricultural pest, with a tasty meat, thus widely poached. You Tube - Opens in new window, ©2020 The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore . Some quills, like those of Africa’s crested porcupine, are nearly a foot long. When threatened the porcupine will raise its quills and rattles the hollow spines on its tail. Well, they are exactly the same, aside from color, body size, quill size, and quill shape. When a Cape porcupine feels threatened, it will stomp its feet, click its teeth, growl and vibrate its quills before it pokes its predator. No porcupine can shoot its quills, but any porcupine can do significant damage by stabbing. Cape Porcupine photos from TheOnlineZoo.com. 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. Exclusive member offers, news & renewal information. Rodents, such as our African crested porcupines, have ever growing front teeth (called incisors). Crested porcupines are nocturnal and dig burrows or inhabit caves. www.thehatchreport.com/information/african-north-american-porcupines.html . Cape porcupines usually forage alone and sometimes in small groups. see larger image: Cape Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis Central Florida Zoo - Lake Monroe, FL, USA see larger image: Cape Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis Central Florida Zoo - Lake Monroe, FL, USA Twitter - Opens in new window Its proportions are not as attractive as its animal itself. See the fact file below for more information on the porcupine or alternatively, you can download our 26-page Porcupine worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment. The gestation period of the African crested porcupine is about 112 days. It has all the advantages one needs in a fight; its bigger, badder, and blacker than the North American. Lions, hyenas, leopards, and birds of prey may attempt to attack porcupines but they won’t have much success. These porcupines are found in woodlands, forests and savannahs in areas of North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and Italy. Porcupine vs. Sub-Saharan Africa. African Porcupines are larger than their North American cousins. Economics. Cape Porcupine South African Crested Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis. Asiatic Brush-taile... Brazilian porcupine. Like other rodents, they have a single pair of sharp, continually growing incisor teeth that they use to gnaw and rip tough plant material. [An African crested porcupine will] use all those defenses: the stomping, the rattling, and the shaking of the quills. If the predator does not retreat they will stamp their feet and rattle their quills. The legs are short and sturdy, and each foot has five toes, all equipped with powerful claws. Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) The Cape porcupine grows up to a meter long and 20kg in weight. Both are at their physical peak. Hystrix africaeaustralis . Rather, they get stuck in whatever touches the porcupine. A family group often develops an extensive inter-connected burrow system. When threatened the porcupine will raise its quills and rattles the hollow spines on its tail. Crested porcupines are nocturnal and dig burrows or inhabit caves. Both species have long, white, stiletto-like quills running the length of their backs that, when raised, make the animals appear at least twice as large as they actually are. Scientific Name Hystrix africaeaustralis Range Africa Conservation Status Least Concern A Rodent with Quills. Cape porcupines are monogamous and live in small family groups comprised of an adult pair or an adult pair with offspring. Cape porcupines are the largest rodents in southern Africa and also the world's largest porcupines. Also called the South African porcupine, the Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) is the world's largest porcupine.They are similar in appearance to, and only slightly larger than, their close relatives, the crested porcupines, and can most easily be distinguished from them by the presence of a band of short white spines along the midline of the rump. Mar 19, 2013 - Cape porcupine - View amazing Cape porcupine photos - Hystrix africaeaustralis - on Arkive The Cape porcupine is the largest porcupine in the world, alongside the nearly identical African crested porcupine. Geographic Range. Commentary Articles Information Articles The African cape porcupine is one of the largest members of the rodent family. Cape porcupines are the largest rodents in Africa and also the world's largest porcupines. The South African Porcupine has small eyes and ears and rather short whiskers. The African crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) is the largest porcupine in the world. If the attacker persists, then the porcupine will whip around and charge backwards or sideways in order to lodge razor-sharp quills into the attacker. It has been recorded from sea level to 2,550 m (8,370 ft) in Moroccan Anti-Atlas. . Indian crested porc... Long-tailed Porcupi... Malayan porcupine. Hank is also an African Crested Porcupine. The long-tailed porcupine of the Old World is 27.9-48 cm long and its weight varies from 1.5 to 2.3 kg. Porcupines use quills that cover their backs and tails to protect themselves, and these quills are mixed in with their regular hair. Made @ MISSION, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The African crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) is the largest porcupine in the world. represent 0.5–34% of lion Panthera leo kills, interactions between the two species are poorly documented. Zoo Lights is also cancelled for 12/16/2020 and 12/17/2020. Discover How Long Cape porcupine Lives. Then, you can stick on the wall in your room to decorate. They weigh approximately 50 lbs. Porcupine Fun We have two species of porcupine at Orana Wildlife Park; Cape Porcupine and African Crested Porcupine. South African porcupines are found from sea level to 2000 m above sea level in most areas with vegetation. They make a rattling sound when the porcupine feels threatened. These quills do not usually become deeply lodged, but are painful. We studied food selection and other ecological factors shaping the ranging behaviour of crested porcupines in a suburban area, where a … Young, foolish, male Young males generally go after porcupines more often than other lions. In addition, they can use carrion on occasion. African crested porcupine - download this royalty free Stock Photo in seconds. Instagram - Opens in new window African Crested Porcupine. Cape porcupines are also known to gnaw on bones for calcium as well as in order to sharpen their incisors. The Cape porcupine is the largest porcupine in the world, alongside the nearly identical African ~. Unlike New World porcupines, Old World porcupines don't climb trees. Both species have long, white, stiletto-like quills running the length of their backs that, when raised, make the animals appear at least twice as large as they actually are. They live about 20 years, both in the wild and in captivity. The Crested porcupine is so called due to its back, which can raise, becoming a crest on occasion. A porcupine’s best defense is that formidable set of quills on its back. 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. Both the male and female African Porcupines weigh from 10 to 24 kilograms (22 to 53 pounds) with very large specicimens weighing up … Cape Porcupine. Lions have been known to prey on Cape Porcupine. As they start to move around outside the den, the bristles harden into quills. Their quill lengths vary on different parts of the body, anywhere from 1” to 12” on their back. And here. Porcupine or Cape Porcupine [Hystrix africaeaustralis] Appearance. The porcupine does not shoot its quills at predators; rather, it sheds them on impact so that they become imbedded in … We will be available between 11:30 - 12:00 to answer any questions! Size. The North African crested porcupine is the largest. This rodent is nocturnal and inhabits rocky outcrops and hills. With cape porcupine inclusive all porcupines have lined quills which is significant for their hairs. Another key difference between the quills of the African and North American Porcupines in the fact that the quills of the North American variety have barbed ends on them. Both are Bloodlust. But it can’t “throw” them. The young porcupines remain with their parents in small family groups for many months more until they are ready to find mates of their own. Habitat: Highly adaptable, living anywhere vegetation is available.They are more likely to be found in open spaces rather than wooded areas, and they seek out rocky crevices, abandoned burrows and caves for shelter. Diet. The Zoo's monthly newsletter and news updates. Also called the South African porcupine, the Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) is the world's largest porcupine.They are similar in appearance to, and only slightly larger than, their close relatives, the crested porcupines, and can most easily be distinguished from them by the presence of a band of short white spines along the midline of the rump. Cape porcupines, also called South African porcupines, are common throughout central and southern Africa. African Crested Porcupine. Cape porcupines are fairly common throughout their range, although overhunting may explain their absence in some areas. Other than those differences they are exactly the same. Characteristics: Cape porcupines are one of the world’s largest porcupine … Although African crested porcupines Hystrix spp. Female Cape porcupines give birth to one litter per year, producing anywhere from one to four offspring, but usually two. ... : 10 - 24kg. They are so-called because their quills can be raised into a ‘crest’ on their back. Discover (and save!) The Cape Porcupine is 630 to 810 mm in length (excluding the small tail, which is about 110 to 200mm long). The more common name for this species is the crested porcupine. The Old World porcupines belong to the infraorder Hystricognathi of the … Adults grow to 25-29 inches long and weigh from 20-66 pounds. Both are granted Human Level intelligence. Ever dapper, the Crested Porcupine Friend dresses herself in a simple but stylish black sweater-vest over top of a gray dress shirt and white business ti… The Cape porcupine is the largest porcupine in the world, alongside the nearly identical African crested porcupine. Rodents are mammals including rats, mice, porcupines, beavers, and more. They give their attackers plenty of warning signs. Characteristics. THe porcupine does not shoot its quills out in defence, as it is rumoured to do. Cape Leopards or Panthera pardus melanotica are much smaller than the African Leopard ( Panthera pardus) found in the Kruger National Park. The porcupine was thought to have been introduced to Italy by the Romans, but fossil and subfossil remains suggest it was possibly present in Europe in the Upper Pleistocene. The African Crested porcupine has a black body and black hair. They are shy and cautious when foraging, and while they appear clumsy in their movements, they can run fast enough to outpace humans when disturbed. African crested porcupines are 24 to 36 inches long, not counting their 3 to 6 ½ inch tail. Both species have long, white, stiletto-like quills running the length of their backs that, when raised, make the animals appear at least twice as large as they actually are. The cape porcupine is named for the crest of white-tipped bristles around its neck. Hystrix indica . The latest on endangered species and conservation efforts. Lion Lion cubs eager for a meal find themselves in a prickly situation. Animals > Mammals > Rodents > Old World Porcupines. They are good diggers. They are the largest rodents in Africa and are surpassed in Asia and Europe only by beaver. Porcupines do not “shoot” their quills. Once the quill is stuck, it falls of the animal. Characteristics: Cape porcupines are one of the world’s largest porcupine … Sub-Saharan Africa. They are similar in appearance to, and only slightly larger than, their close relatives, the crested porcupines, and can most easily be distinguished from them by the presence of a band of short white spines along the midline of the rump. The crested porcupine is a member of the rodent family and the largest species of porcupine. and are about 30” in length, and have very poor vision. They bristle their quills, rattle their tails, stomp their feet, hiss, and snort. Old World porcupines are found in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Most creatures that have had a run-in with a porcupine learn their lesson and maintain a safe distance in future encounters. Click to view the roundup of what animals love a snow day and who might be staying cozy and out of sight this winter. Its quills are longer (8 to 16 inches in length) and cover the lower half of the porcupine’s body. All Rights Reserved . Crested Porcupine has somewhat long, coal-colored hair that falls evenly on either side of her head with distinctive, "quill"-like striped locks framing her round face. They are less active when it is cold and will huddle together for warmth. Hystrix africaeaustralis is found only in sub-saharan Africa, excluding the coastal desert of the southwest. However, these dimensions are not as impressive as the sight of the animal itself. The crested porcupine is found in Italy, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. Porcupines are not easy to attack. They shelter in caves or dens they dig themselves. Cape Porcupine photos from TheOnlineZoo.com. The Cape porcupine is a large (12.0 kg), nocturnal hystricomorph rodent and widely distributed throughout southern Africa. native; Habitat. A 2-week-old African crested porcupine, foreground center, sticks close to its father at the Oklahoma City zoo, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006. 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