African Crested Porcupine

This African Crested Porcupine is active at dusk and at night. African Crested Porcupine generally spend the day sleeping in self excavated burrows, rock cavities, under boulder heaps, or in river thickets with several exits. When excited, the African Crested Porcupine grunt. If threatened, they stamp their hind feet and rattle the rattle-quills.

Occasional ground predators include leopards, lions, and hyenas although the porcupine’s excellent defense is generally a deterrent. When in danger, the African Crested Porcupine erects the quills and spines and jumps backward to drive the points into the opponent. If pursued, the animal may stop suddenly, causing the predator to run into the quills. Porcupines do not shoot their quills, but the quills come out easily.

The African Crested Porcupine is not listed on the Endangered Species List. However, due to the damage this species has done to cultivated crops, it has been exterminated in several parts of its range. Although the quills are naturally shed, the African Porcupine have been killed to take the quills for ornaments and charms.