Table of Contents
Where in Africa do porcupines live?
The African crested porcupine is the largest porcupine in the world. It lives in hilly, rocky habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Italy.
Do porcupines live in the South?
Porcupines occur naturally in the western and northern United States, from Alaska to Pennsylvania and far into Canada. They have not appeared in any of the southern states, except for mountains in Virginia, but you are correct that armadillos and coyotes are relatively recent migrants to many areas of the Southeast.
What countries do porcupines live in?
Scientists group porcupines into two groups: Old World porcupines, which are found in Africa, Europe and Asia; and New World porcupines, which are found in North, Central, and South America. The North American porcupine is the only species found in the United States and Canada.
Can South African porcupines climb trees?
Their long claws and excellent balance allow them to grip and scale even the tallest of trees. Although porcupines have their quills to protect themselves from predators, such as lions and hyenas, their first choice is to flee. This can lead to them climbing trees.
What do porcupines eat in South Africa?
They will cheat on their vegetarian diets. Porcupines primarily eat roots, tubers, bark, and fallen fruit but also have a fondness for cultivated root crops such as cassava, potatoes, and carrots. Sometimes, they will even take carrion back to the burrow to nibble on.
What are porcupines favorite food?
At the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, the porcupines eat herbivore pellets and a variety of fruits, vegetables and greens. Their favorite food item is corn on the cob. They also get browse several days a week and chew on the tree bark in their exhibit.
Are porcupines good for anything?
People hunt porcupines as well. Their meat has been a traditional staple for many indigenous North Americans, and the quills an important material for basketry and decorative crafts. Perhaps the most common cause of porcupine fatalities, after cars, is falling out of trees.
Can porcupines be pets?
Yes, it’s possible to pet a porcupine, and a number of states allow you to keep one as a pet. Porcupines can be trained to a degree — and some even grow to be affectionate toward humans — but bear in mind they’re solitary creatures who can become violent when agitated.
Where do porcupines sleep?
Porcupines are primarily nocturnal animals who rest during the day in hollow trees and logs, underground burrows or in crevices found in rocky areas.
What do porcupines hate?
Coyote or fox scent applied around your yard can help keep porcupines away, but it must be applied often.
What porcupines hate?
What are porcupines afraid of?
Predator Sprays Coyote or fox scent applied around your yard can help keep porcupines away, but it must be applied often. Some people claim that porcupines often catch on to the fact that there is no real predators around and start coming back.
Where can you find a cape porcupine in Africa?
Cape porcupines are found across the whole of southern and central Africa, to southern Kenya, Uganda, and Congo at the northern edge of their range. They inhabit a wide range of habitats, from sea level to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), although they are only marginally present in dense forests and the driest of deserts, and are not found in swampland.
Where do porcupines live in the New World?
The New World porcupines live in North and South America. They prefer wooded habitats and are apt at climbing trees. They are also smaller and more diurnal than their Old World counterparts. 4. Lost Porcupine Quills are Quickly Replaced by New Ones
What kind of food does an African porcupine eat?
The African porcupine is not a climber and forages on the ground. It is mostly nocturnal, but will sometimes forage for food in the day, eating bark, roots, fruits and berries, as well as farm crops. Porcupines have become a pest in Kenya and are eaten as a delicacy.
How big is a full grown Cape Porcupine?
The Cape Porcupine is 630 to 810 mm in length (excluding the small tail, which is about 110 to 200mm long). Both males and females weigh between 10 and 24 kg. Some really big males can weigh up to 30 kg, but this is unusual. The Cape Porcupine does not demand a particularly defined or specialised habitat.