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Food
carrots, tubers, fruit and sometimes insects
Lifetime
15 - 20 years
Weight
10 - 30 kg
Number of youngsters
1 to 4 youngsters
Wear time
2 months
IUCN Status
safe
EEP?
no
In reverse
Porcupines can defend themselves very well. When they see a predator, they first try to chase it away. They put up their quills, stamp their feet and rattle their tail. If the threat doesn’t go away, the porcupine turns around. They walk backwards towards the predator and stab it with their quills. The quills cause so much pain that most attackers will leave the porcupine alone.
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Theme area: On the Move
You can see the Crested porcupine in the ‘On the Move’ themed area. Here, you’ll discover how animals move around and why moving – or, conversely, staying still – is important for survival.
Rattle
Crested porcupines have thick, sharp quills covering most of their body. At the end of their tail, they have special quills. These quills are larger, hollow, and open at the top. This allows them to make a rattling sound. Whenever they sense danger, they shake their tail. The sound is a warning for any enemies to keep their distance.