Appearance Female porcupines are about one kilogram heavier than males, weighing 10-24 kg and males with a mass of 10-19 kg. The young weigh about 1,000 g (2.2 lb) at birth, which is about 5% of the mother's weight. Both sexes are about 84 cm in length. To ingest calcium and sharpen incisors, they often gnaw on bones. Offspring 1 - 4 Porcupettes In addition to being targeted for their quills, they are illegally hunted for their meat. There are long vibrissae on the head. The black and white quills along the head and back of this spiny mammal can be raised into a crest, hence its common name of crested porcupine. One or two very well developed young are born in a chamber within the burrow that is usually lined with grass, after a 66-day gestation period, on average. Rodents are mammals including rats, mice, porcupines, beavers, and more. Quill length varies on different parts of the body, ranging from 2.5 to 30.5 centimeters (1 to 12 inches). Looking like a cross between a ferret, a skunk, and a porcupine, the African crested rat may be adorable, but it packs a poisonous punch. Geographic Range Found in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Italy. Koopa is the name given to turtles in the Super Mario Brothers video games. There are black and white quills on the neck and back. Hystrix cristata is part of the family Hystricidae. The specific name, cristatus, comes from Latin and means provided with a comb, relating to its crest of quills. Our solutions to protecting the porcupine: African Wildlife Foundation educates communities about the importance of sustainable practices for agricultural and settlement growth by providing training on best practices and incentivizing conservation agriculture when appropriate. Flaky is a porcupine from Happy Tree Friends. They are common in sub-Saharan Africa, but can be found as far away as northern Africa and Italy. The word “porcupine” means “quill pig”, but the porcupine isn’t a pig, nor is it related to pigs in any way. The North African crested porcupine is the largest porcupine on earth. The African cape porcupine is one of the largest members of the rodent family. Out of Africa Wildlife Park Full Species List: MAMMALS (Common Name) Scientific (Latin) Name. The crested porcupine’s scientific name is Hystrix cristata. Both the male and female African Porcupines weigh from 10 to 24 kilograms (22 to 53 pounds) with very large specicimens weighing up to 30 kg (66 lb). These animals are easily distinguishable by their thick coat of sharp quills that they use for protection and insulation. At this time, the spines begin to harden. The reverse charge is most effective because the hindquarters are the most heavily armed, and the quills are directed to the rear. This rodent is 25 – 29 inches long (63-73 cm) and weighs about 18 – 51 pounds (8-23 kg). These animals often travel long distances looking for food. Common Name Porcupine. The front feet of the crested porcupine have four developed and clawed digits with a regressed thumb, the rear feet have five. The African crested porcupine is the largest porcupine in the world. It is extant in mainland Italy, Sicily, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. The more common name for this species is the crested porcupine. The porcupine is identified by its specialized hairs or quills. The young are suckled from six to eight weeks of age and then begin to eat vegetable matter. Cape porcupines are one of the largest rodents in Africa, and they are also the world's largest porcupines. The African crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) is the largest porcupine in the world. The world's largest porcupine, this rodent exhibits black and white quills along its head. They leave the den after one week. Gestation Period: 79 days . Almost the entire body is covered with bristles which are either dark brown or black and rather coarse. It lives in hilly, rocky habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Italy. Collar bones are very much reduced, and one incisor, one premolar and three molars are present in each quadrant. The gestation period of the African crested porcupine is about 112 days. It is between 25 and 29 inches long, and weighs from 18 to 51 pounds. Also, some sturdier quills which are about 35 cm (14 in) in length run along the sides and back half of the body. The average lifespan is 12 - 15 years. They collect these bones, and store them in an underground chamber, or cave. General Information: African Crested Porcupines originate from Italy, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. The more common name for this species is the crested porcupine. The crested porcupine takes care of the young for a long time and small family groups consist of the adult pair and young of various ages. Unleash more canine heroes to save elephants. The skull is specific in many ways; first, the infraorbital foramen is greatly enlarged so portions of the masseter extend through it and attach from the frontal side surface of the snout. In defense, when disturbed, they raise and fan their quills to make themselves look bigger. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Name Porcupine or Cape Porcupine [Hystrix africaeaustralis] Appearance. New quills grow in to replace lost ones. This porcupine has a shorter tail which has rattle quills at the end. The black & white quills along the head and back can be raised into a crest, thus the name. Some koopas, called spinies (Spiny) have spikes protruding out of their back. Eight species are placed in the genus Hystrix, only two of which are found outside of Asia. The name "Porcupine" in Latin means quill pig. Common Name: African Crested Porcupine. The Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) or South African porcupine, is a species of Old World porcupine native to central and southern Africa. Family Hystricidae. The African porcupine (Hystrix cristata), also known as the crested porcupine, is a species of rodent found in sub-Saharan Africa, and northern Africa. Second, the angular process is inflected on the lower jaw, and third, the nasal cavity is enlarged. The Hystricidae porcupines stay on the ground for the most part and live in … They are smoked out of their burrows and hunted with spears, nets, or dogs. It has been recorded from sea level to 2,550 m (8,370 ft) in Moroccan Anti-Atlas. If continually bothered, the crested porcupine will stamp its feet, whirr the quills, and charge the disturber back end first trying to stab the enemy with the thicker, shorter quills. Porcupine | Pixabay Image. They are nocturnal and monogamous. These sturdier quills are used, for the most part, for defense and are usually marked with light and dark bands which alternate; these are not firmly attached. [4] Breeding occurs throughout the year. Facts about Porcupine, "Scientific name for Porcupine is Hystricomorph hystricidae". Although it is favored in many parts of its range as food, its conservation status is set at least concern. Sometimes, they will even take carrion back to the burrow to nibble on. Porcupines can be divided into New World porcupines (of North and South America) and Old World porcupines (of Asia and Europe). African Crested Porcupine. Usually, female crested porcupines have one litter every year. They weigh approximately 50 lbs. Donate now. African leopards: iconic big cats survive mounting threats, Building better ranger forces for wildlife conservation, China-Africa Youth Dialogues connect conservation champions. They are illegally hunted for their quills becoming a crest on occasion eight are... 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