Cape Porcupine

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Step into the world of our cape porcupine and unlock the wonders of these extraordinary creatures

An image of a Cape Porcupine, eating seeds off a tree stump

The cape porcupine is the world's largest porcupine, a heavily built animal with a stocky body, short limbs and an inconspicuous tail, the body is covered in long spines and sharp defence quills.

When threatened they will growl, snort and grunt. Otherwise communicating through snuffling noises and stomping their feet.

Cape porcupines are nocturnal and monogamous, typically living as a mated pair of adults, caring for any young together.

Quick facts

Distribution:

Central and Southern Africa

Habitat:

Woodlands, grasslands, deserts, rocky hills

Conservation Status:

Least concern

Fun fact

Cape porcupine defence quills are hollow, and they can rattle to scare away predators. Contrary to popular belief, quills cannot be 'fired' at enemies, but will loosely embed in their skin upon contact.

Frequently asked questions

Cape porcupines primarily eat fresh fruit and vegetables, roots, tubers, bark, and insects. This varied diet helps them get the necessary nutrients to thrive in their environment.

Cape porcupine offspring, or porcupettes, take about 90-100 days to develop before they are born, with typically one to three porcupettes born at a time.

Cape porcupines have a lifespan of approximately 12 to 15 years in the wild and 15 to 20 years in captivity.

Cape porcupines face several predators, including lions, hyenas, leopards, and birds of prey.

A group of people getting up close with a cape porcupine

Porcupine Animal Encounter

Connect with one of the animal kingdom's most unique inhabitants.

Delve into the fascinating lives of cape porcupines like never before with this encounter. You might even get the chance to hand-feed one of them!

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