Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis)

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Rodentia
Family	Hystricidae
Genus	Hystrix (1)

Top facts

• The cape porcupine is a nocturnal species.
• During the day, the cape porcupine will either build a den, or take shelter in caves, crevices or other holes.
• A territorial species, the cape porcupine usually forages solitarily although it can be seen feeding in groups of 2 to 3.
• The spines and quills of the porcupine are soft at birth, but then harden.

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

Information on the Cape porcupine is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly.

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

1. IUCN Red List (October, 2009)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/