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Cape Porcupine

Hystrix africaeaustralis

Quick Facts

Scientific name: Hystrix africaeaustralis
Class: Mammal
Weight: 30 pounds
Life span: 20 years
Conservation status: Least concern
Number of offspring: 1 to 4 porcupettes at a time

About

I LIVE IN AFRICA

Cape porcupines can be found throughout central and southern Africa. They spend their day among the rocky kopjes, rock formations in the Serengeti, and will take shelter in abandoned burrows or excavate ones themselves.


I AM A SCAVENGER

Cape porcupines typically eat fruit, roots, bark, and have been known to eat bones and carrion. To help them break down food, they have strong font teeth that never stop growing. Chewing on hard items helps keep their powerful teeth healthy and filed down.


CAPE PORCUPINES ARE SOLITARY

Cape porcupines are solitary animals, but will sometimes live in small family groups. This animal species is monogamous and will spend their life with their mate and offspring.


COVERED IN QUILLS

All porcupines, big and small, have the same average number of quills at 30,000. Porcupine quills are made out of the same material as our hair, and similar to our hair, their quills also fall out and grow back. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines do not shoot out quills. Instead, when feeling threatened, their first instinct is to freeze and then make themselves big, turn backward, and run into the predator.


HELPING THE CAPE PORCUPINE IN THE WILD

The cape porcupines at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo are enrolled in the Species Survival Plan (SSP). SSP is a program implemented by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to help ensure a genetically viable population exists.


I AM IMPORTANT TO MY ECOSYSTEM

Cape porcupines play a positive role in their ecosystem by their foraging and turning soil. Their foraging contributes to the maintenance of the plants and their foraging habits open up soil surfaces, which allows water to seep into the ground to promote new growth.


 

Conservation

Learn more about our efforts, our conservation partners around the world, and the simple steps you can take to contribute.

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