crested porcupine
(Hystrix cristata)

distribution

Mouth of Congo River to Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, western and southern Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa.

habitat

Found in all types of forests, plantations, rocky areas, mountain steppes and sand hill deserts from sea level to over 1000m.

biological characteristics

Their diet includes bark, roots, fallen fruits and cultivated crops. Insects and small vertebrates are occasionally taken. The head, neck, shoulders and limbs are covered with coarse, dark brown or black bristles. There are long quills along the head and back, and these quills can be raised into a crest.

conservation status

Not listed as endangered, considered common.

factfile

• Their eyesight is poor; porcupines rely on a keen sense of smell and hearing.

• They are able to hear fruit dropping from trees several yards away.

• When attacked or annoyed, the porcupine raises its spines and rattles them vigorously to scare off the predator.

• They may charge sideways or backward, detaching quills into the attacker. The African crested porcupine's quills are not barbed.