Cape porcupine is a member of the order Rodentia and are the largest rodent species in Africa.
Also known as South African porcupines, they are “Old World”, porcupines that will often shelter in caves and aardvark holes as well as burrows, that they will dig for themselves.
Quills of the cape porcupine are used as their defence mechanism and will be raised and fanned to ward off predators. If the predator does not retreat, they will stamp their feet and rattle their quills. If that fails, they will charge, back end first, to stab with their shorter thicker quills.
Porcupines are mainly nocturnal but can sometimes be seen during the day. They are generally solitary foragers but will live in small family groups.
Long claws help them to dig up roots and tubers.
Size: Weighing up to 30kg they have quills that range in length and some can get up to 30cm long.