Species Spotlight: African Crested Porcupine
Meet Taro, Animal Connections’ prickly animal ambassador at SeaWorld San Diego.
African crested porcupines are terrestrial animals that like to smell, dig, root and oh yes – play! SeaWorld trainer Jen Miller says, “Taro makes me laugh when I watch him play. He will literally run and kick up his heels.” Animal playtime is a unique opportunity for trainers to build their relationship with an animal and a great source of exercise. Check out Taro’s playtime escapades.
About Porcupines:
The African crested porcupine is actually a rodent covered with long and short stout quills. The quills on its shoulders rise up to form a crest, which is where it gets its common name.
Newborns have soft quills that will later harden. Contrary to public belief, when porcupines become alarmed they do not shoot their quills. Their quills are smooth and easily fall out, which makes it very difficult for any animal to touch them without getting one embedded.
African crested porcupines dwell in the woodlands, rocky areas, deserts and grasslands of Italy, and from northern Africa to northern Zaire and Tanzania. They are nocturnal animals with long whiskers on their faces and feet to help them feel their way around at night.
Conservation Connection: In the wild, African crested porcupines may travel up to nine miles each night in search of leaves, stems, berries, fruit, blossoms, bones and bark to eat. As herbivores, African crested porcupines perform a valuable role within their habitats by dispersing seeds of various plant life.
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