Cape Porcupine
Encyclopedia
The Cape Porcupine or South African Porcupine, Hystrix africaeaustralis, is a species of Old World porcupine
. Contrary to its name, this porcupine species inhabits much of Sub-Saharan Africa
, excluding the southwestern desert
s of the continent. This rodent is nocturnal and inhabits rocky outcrops and hills. They shelter in caves or dens they dig themselves. Female cape porcupines are the biggest rodents in southern Africa, weighing more than 30 kilograms (66 pounds) and growing more than two feet long. The cape porcupine is covered in bristly quills varying in thickness. The longest spines grow as long as the animal's body and quills only eight inches shorter. On its tail, the spines are hollow to make a rattling sound to scare away predators. When attacked, the porcupine freezes.If cornered, it turns vicious and charges to stab its attacker with its quills. Otherwise, the porcupine may retreat into its burrow, exposing only its quills and making it hard to dislodge.
Unlike most rodents, the cape porcupine is very long-lived. The oldest animals can be 15 to 20 years old. They are also fast to grow. Litters of four are nursed for four months and reach adult size in only a year. The cape porcupine eats mostly plant material: fruits, roots, tubers, bulbs, and bark. Special microorganism
s in the animal's gut break down this tough vegetation. The porcupine has also been reported to gnaw on carrion and bones.
Old World porcupine
The Old World porcupines, or Hystricidae, are large terrestrial rodents, distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their name. They range over the south of Europe, most of Africa, India, and the Maritime Southeast Asia as far east as Borneo...
. Contrary to its name, this porcupine species inhabits much of Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
, excluding the southwestern desert
Desert
A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants. Most deserts have an average annual precipitation of less than...
s of the continent. This rodent is nocturnal and inhabits rocky outcrops and hills. They shelter in caves or dens they dig themselves. Female cape porcupines are the biggest rodents in southern Africa, weighing more than 30 kilograms (66 pounds) and growing more than two feet long. The cape porcupine is covered in bristly quills varying in thickness. The longest spines grow as long as the animal's body and quills only eight inches shorter. On its tail, the spines are hollow to make a rattling sound to scare away predators. When attacked, the porcupine freezes.If cornered, it turns vicious and charges to stab its attacker with its quills. Otherwise, the porcupine may retreat into its burrow, exposing only its quills and making it hard to dislodge.
Unlike most rodents, the cape porcupine is very long-lived. The oldest animals can be 15 to 20 years old. They are also fast to grow. Litters of four are nursed for four months and reach adult size in only a year. The cape porcupine eats mostly plant material: fruits, roots, tubers, bulbs, and bark. Special microorganism
Microorganism
A microorganism or microbe is a microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters, or no cell at all...
s in the animal's gut break down this tough vegetation. The porcupine has also been reported to gnaw on carrion and bones.