Where does the crested porcupine live?
The crested porcupine lives in Italy, North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa and East Africa. In the Mediterranean, it is known from mainland Italy and the island of Sicily, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It has been recorded from sea level to 2,550 m in the Moroccan Anti-Atlas. It is the only porcupine found in Europe. It is terrestrial, nocturnal and monogamous. It is hunted for its meat in Africa.
What does the crested porcupine eat?
It is for the most part herbivorous, eating roots, bulbs and leaves, and occasionally insects, small vertebrates and carrion. It gnaws on bones for calcium and to sharpen its incisors. When disturbed, it raises and fans its quills, stamps its feet and charges backward. The quills on its tail produce a hiss-like sound when vibrated.
Is the crested porcupine endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. It is one of the largest rodents in the world, along with the Cape porcupine: 60 to 83 cm long, 13 to 27 kg. It can live up to 28 years, the second-longest among rodents. Its quills are about 35 cm long.
