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  • Porcupine

 

Porcupine

(Hystrix africaeaustralis)

lion

Total length:

75-100cm / 29.5-39.4in

Weight:

10-24kg / 22-53lbs

Food:

Roots, bulbs, tree bark and carrion

Habitat:

A great variety of habitats in the Kruger National Park

Social behaviour:

Often seen alone, but also forms small family groups of four or five individuals

Active:

Nighttime

Sightings:

Very rare



Porcupines are seldom seen in the Kruger National Park because they are active at night. They use their quills to defend themselves, but can't shoot them at attackers like some people believe. The quills do, however, get stuck in the attacker's face, paws and body from time to time.



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How to find porcupines in the Kruger National Park:

Porcupines
…Do visit some camp fences, especially next to riverbeds, for example Maroela camp.

The best chance of seeing porcupine is to go on a guided night drive, but it is difficult to know which camp to choose.



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