Special Features:
- The back of the porcupine's stout body is covered with sharp quills which start at the nape of the neck and run along the back. These brown and white banded quills are cylindrical and stout and usually lay flat against the body. When threatened the porcupine raises the quills and rattles them vigorously to scare off the enemy. He will stamp his feet, turn his back and run backwards to impale the enemy. These sharp quills are not barbed but attached loosely to the follicles. If the enemy touches the porcupine the quills deeply imbed into the flesh and cannot be removed. The wounds become infected eventually killing the predator. They do not shoot their quills.
- Like most rodents, their teeth grow continuously causing them to gnaw at branches and bones to keep them from growing too long.
- African Porcupines are good swimmers.
- Has an acute sense of hearing and smell but poor eyesight.
Social Structure & Behavior:
Fairly social, they travel in pairs or small families. Females will keep a separate den for rearing young and forage alone.
Nocturnal.
Breeding & Care of Young:
Sexual maturity at 2 years. Gestation 112 days.
Usually 2 or 3 in a litter. Can breed 2-3 times per year.
Females come into season every 35 days.
Babies are covered with bristles and soft quills which harden a few hours after birth.
Babies are born with their eyes open and teeth.
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