In South Africa, the porcupine can be found at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve between Johannesburg and Pretoria, Seekoei Nature Reserve (just outside Jeffrey�s Bay), the Amakhala Nature Reserve (near Grahamstown and Port Alfred), and the Zandvlei Estuary in Cape Town. Otherwise, the porcupine may retreat into its burrow, exposing only its quills and making it hard to dislodge. This is also known as the Cape Porcupine and is known for its stout, sturdy structure. Karoo National Park - A little piece of Heaven, You�ll Find These 15 Amazing Animals in South Africa, Pack a picnic basket and explore these South African Botanical Gardens. Geographic Range. Porcupines are monogamous animals and live in extended family groups consisting of an adult male and female and their offspring. Here they are found across the south and central areas of the continent. The tail spines are hollow. They are covered in quills which is where their name porcupine derives from as in French ‘ porc espin ’ means spined pig. More often, though, it will eat fruit, seeds, roots, bulbs and bark. The Cape Porcupine lives for a relatively long time. Cape porcupines are nocturnal and monogamous, typically living as mated pairs of adults, caring for any young together. Typically, the male is more defensive of their territory, which they both mark. South African porcupines are found from sea level to 2000 m above sea level in most areas with vegetation. Subscribe for the latest special offers and travel inspiration. A litter can range from 1 to 4 offspring. With the aid of the radio-telemetry data, we also determined Cape porcupine habitat use in the farmland, peri-urban and suburban areas, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Chapter 3). Cape Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis. The porcupine does not shoot its quills at predators; rather, it sheds them on impact so that they become imbedded in an attacker. Want to see african or cape porcupine in their natural habitat? Cape Porcupine Our porcupines live alongside our meerkats and their diet is predominantly a wide variety of vegetables. Young cape porcupines will begin to try solid food at one month old. This particular night we came across a small pride of lions (male, female & three 1 year old cubs) 'playing' with this porcupine like a house cat plays with a mouse. The Cape Porcupine is 630 to 810 mm in length (excluding the small tail, which is about 110 to 200mm long). One habitat which is avoided are swamps. Scientific Name: Hystrix africaeaustralis. The female goes into oestrus for about nine days. They can stab an attacker with these quills to defend themselves. native; Habitat. Porcupine quills have long been a favorite ornament and good-luck charm in Africa. Cape porcupines are found across the whole of southern and central Africa, to southern Kenya, Uganda, and Congo at the northern edge of their range. A group may maintain up to 6 burrows which they move between. Some porcupines inhabit rocky regions up to 3,500 metres (11,000 feet) high. This locks them in the den so they are not able to be dislodged. The North American porcupine is the only species that lives in the U.S. and Canada, and is the largest of all porcupines. Family Hystricidae, the Old World porcupines. The Cape Porcupine does not demand a particularly defined or specialised habitat. The young are born with soft quills and incisors, while the other teeth start appearing at two weeks of age. Their tail increases this length by 11-20cm (4.3-7.9in). Characteristics: Cape porcupines are one of the world’s largest porcupine species. On each foot is five toes each with a claw. Notes: Not a great photo but my only recognizable shot from the amazing night 'anti-poaching' patrol drives I was privileged to be a part of. The Cape Porcupine is the largest species of porcupine in the world growing up to 90cm long. They can be told apart by the presence of a band of short white spines along the midline of their rump. THe porcupine does not shoot its quills out in defence, as it is rumoured to do. They may also hide in a burrow and puff their quills out to full size. Some New World species are arboreal, which means that they live in the trees. The African cape porcupine is one of the largest members of the rodent family. 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. This makes it practically impossible for the predator to retrieve. Some species of New World porcupines live in trees, however, Old World porcupines are exclusively terrestrial (ground dwellers). To defend themselves they will freeze. With cape porcupine inclusive all porcupines have lined quills which is significant for their hairs. Habitat. ... Habitat: Lowlands and tropical mountain forests, steppes, semi … Cape porcupine habitat selections are shown in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, Table 4, which varied according to the habitat composition within each site. The cape porcupine is known to be the world largest porcupine and it is known to be the largest rodent in Africa. It has long hair and black-and-white quills that can grow to a foot in length. Cape porcupines are one of the world’s largest porcupine species. Their teeth and gut are both adapted to handle tough material that other animals may not be able to break down or digest. Their teeth are continuously growing so they can rip through plant material. From the head to the base of it’s tail, a cape porcupine measures between 63 and 81cm (25 and 32in) long. These little ones are weaned at about 100 days, and reach sexual maturity at around one year. Due to their effective defence system, the African Porcupine does not easily succumb to predators. The African porcupine is the largest rodent in the regions they inhabit. In fact, it is the largest rodent in southern Africa and one of the largest in the world. The walks also provide great enrichment because of all the sights, smells, and sounds of the other animals in the habitat. Distribution and habitat Cape porcupines are found across the whole of southern and central Africa, to southern Kenya , Uganda , and Congo at the northern edge of their range. Their tail increases this length by 11-20cm (4.3-7.9in). Appearance Female porcupines are about one kilogram heavier than males, weighing 10-24 kg and males with a mass of 10-19 kg. However, these dimensions are not as impressive as the sight of the animal itself. Cape porcupines are omnivores. Cape Porcupines are found from sea level to 2000 m above sea level in most areas with vegetation. Following a successful mating it will take 94 days for the offspring to be born. Predators of the cape porcupine include big cats, Cassola, F. 2016. Hystrix africaeaustralis (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T10748A115099085.Â, Mini Marmosets and Leaping Lemurs born at Altina, Little Rhino Calf Joins the Family at The Wilds, Red-Tailed Guneon Swing In to the Maryland, https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T10748A22232321.en. The Cape porcupine grows up to a meter long and 20kg in weight. In some areas they are known to eat carrion. Porcupines reside in natural shelters near roots and rocks, inside holes made by each other or holes they dig themselves. This porcupine species is found throughout southern and central Africa; including in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and the Congo. Diet Herbivore Because of their preference for plant roots and bulbs, these porcupines can become a pest amongst farmers, who make their living from the crops. Weaning does not occur till between their third and fourth month. Both males and females weigh between 10 and 24 kg. The gestation period of the South African Porcupine is about 94 days, or roughly three months, long. Cape porcupine. The Cape Porcupine is 630 to 810 mm in length (excluding the small tail, which is about 110 to 200mm long). These harden as they grow. The cape porcupine is named for the crest of white-tipped bristles around its neck. They are similar in appearance to the crested porcupine but they are slightly larger. Travelling to South Africa? The Cape porcupine is the largest porcupine in the world, alongside the nearly identical African crested porcupine. Habitat. During the day, they will either build their own den or shelter in a cave or crevice. In the wild, their lifespan is about a decade, while they can live for double that period in captivity. And, we'll send you a R200 voucher to use on your next booking. Behavior and Habitat. On the tail are hollow spines which allow them to make a rattling by shaking them. These make them appear twice as large when raised. Although the Cape Porcupine will dine mainly on vegetation, it has been known to gnaw on bones and carrion too. Basic facts about Crested Porcupine: lifespan, distribution and habitat map, lifestyle and social behavior, mating habits, diet and nutrition, population size and status. They care for their young together, but will usually forage for food independently of their mate. When born, their quills are soft and sensitive bristles. In South Africa, see them in these and many other reserves and park... SA-Venues.com® has been assisting travellers with their South Africa travel plans since 1999, and is the largest, independent online travel guide for South Africa available in both English and German. 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. Did you know? If the porcupine is attacked, its initial reaction is to freeze and wait for the danger to pass. Conservation Status Least Concern, IUCN. The porcupine species found within the Kruger National Park and within Southern Africa is known as the Cape Porcupine, the largest porcupine species on Earth. We have some. Some really big males can weigh up to 30 kg, but this is unusual. Weight. Africa is the native home of the cape porcupine. At birth the average weight of the newborn is 311g (11oz). It's a vision to behold as it trundles along, beneath a quivering battery of spines – like a bush on legs. Alternatively, the porcupine may hide in its burrow with only its quills exposed. They can be found in altitudes up to 12,100 ft. high. However, they are sometimes challenged by lions, leopards, hyenas, and the like. Porcupine or Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) Order Rodentia. The cape porcupine is a nocturnal animal. By Steven Lek (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons. Their most noticeable feature is the quills and spines which extend from their back. Rodents, such as our African crested porcupines, have ever growing front teeth (called incisors). The Cape Porcupine does not demand a particularly defined or specialised habitat. They also build dens which can … You can help feed and care for our porcupines and other threatened animals around the world by donating today - if you can, please support our Survival Fund . Cape porcupine We have two Cape porcupine here at Edinburgh Zoo, a male named Little Rick and a female named Zahara. They are a large species of rodent covered by black, but mostly white spines, used for protection and can … New World and Old World porcupines occupy a wide range of habitats. Rather, they get stuck in whatever touches the porcupine. These are long and measure up to 30cm (11.8in) long for quills and 50cm (20in) for spines. Males and females are similar sizes, … When it is cold the group will huddle in their burrow for warmth. Habitat utilization on three scales by Cape porcupines (Hystrix africaeaustralis) was investigated in a savanna ecosystem at Nylsvley Nature Reserve in the northern Transvaal, South Africa.. On the macroscale, radiotelemetry indicated that porcupines preferred broad‐leaf Burkea savanna to Acacia savanna. ("The South African Porcupine Page", 1999; Smithers, 1983)Biogeographic Regions; ethiopian. They are hunted by farmers when they dig up crops. It will be another three to five months after weaning before the mother gives birth again. Habitat: Eastern Cape, SA. Cape porcupines achieve sexual maturity at 2 years old in females and between 8 and 18 months for males. They inhabit a wide range of habitats, from sea level to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), although they are only marginally present in dense forests and the driest of deserts, and are not found in swampland. The hollow rattle quills serve as musical instruments and were once used as containers for gold dust. Those wanting to use them should be committed to ensuring that they were obtained in an eco-friendly, non-harmful way. When attacked, the porcupine freezes. She will give birth to one litter per year (unless a previous litter was lost), which comprises of one to three babies (although about half of the births are of only one baby). Hystrix africaeaustralis is found only in sub-saharan Africa, excluding the coastal desert of the southwest. Rodents are mammals including rats, mice, porcupines, beavers, and more. This seldom seen, highly elusive apex predator survives in some of the most inhospitable habitat possible – the rugged, low nutritional fynbos biome of the Cape Fold Mountain ranges. The Cape Porcupine is a monogamous animal and will usually live with its mate, defending its territory (which can consist of around six different burrows) together. Distribution and habitat Cape porcupines are found across the whole of southern and central Africa, to southern Kenya , Uganda , and Congo at the northern edge of their range. The Cape leopard is the stuff of legends. If attacked they move sideways and backwards to dig their quills in to the attacker. They reach their full size by the end of their first year of life. This porcupine species is nocturnal. Here are some of the interesting facts about the cape porcupine. Find and book hotels and accommodation in South Africa. If cornered, it turns vicious and charges to stab it's attacker with its quills. They often take shelter in caves or antbear holes. From the head to the base of it’s tail, a cape porcupine measures between 63 and 81cm (25 and 32in) long. The following is a small sample of thousands of species of wildlife found in South Africa. Predators of the cape porcupine include big cats, hyenas and large birds. In addition to being targeted for their quills, they are illegally hunted for their meat. Some really big males can weigh up to 30 kg, but this is unusual. Although the body is robust, the legs are very stocky and short, while the tail is practically unseen. 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In addition to being targeted for their meat sometimes challenged by lions leopards... Have black and white bands all along their length, with sharp black defence quills scattered in-between cape... May and December in the regions they inhabit beneath a quivering battery of spines – a! Will usually forage for food independently of their rump American porcupine is named for the crest of bristles.
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