Cape Porcupine

This vegetarian enjoys fruits, leaves, and flowers. It can also consume bark, roots, and bulbs. These lignin-rich foods are subjected to a particular microbial flora in the large intestine to extract the maximum nutrients. Interestingly, porcupines like to gnaw on the bones of animal carcasses.

The distinctive feature of the porcupine is undoubtedly the cascade of hard, sharp quills found on the animal’s rear two-thirds. Some of these modified hairs reach nearly 50 cm in length. When bristled, they form an almost impenetrable barrier. By rattling them together, it produces a rustling sound aimed at intimidating predators.

This rodent lives in pairs accompanied by their offspring. The parents mark their territory with scented urine, and its size varies depending on the available resources. When faced with a predator, the young take refuge in the den, which the parents block with their quill-covered backs.

Populations of this rodent are considered large and widely distributed, as the animal thrives in many types of habitats. Although it currently faces no particular threats, it is sometimes regarded as a pest in agriculture due to its taste for fruits and vegetables.