Meet Turbo
African Crested Porcupines are the 3rd largest rodent in the world, with some indivuduals weighing as much as 60lbs. These porcupines also have much longer quills than the ones you will see in our walkthrough. Turbo's longest quills can reach up to 13 inches. Turbo loves to make an appearance at our animal presentations where she is rewarded with sweet potatoes and oranges.
Porcupine Quills
Porcupine quills are modified hair follicles, and are therefore shed in the same way as our own hair, simply by falling out. These quills typically lie flat but can be raised in defense if the porcupine feels threatened. The quills cannot be thrown at predators but do easily fall out, sometimes giving the illusion of being thrown.
Common Name Porcupine
Scientific Name Hystrix cristata
Type Mammal
Status Least Concern
Diet Herbivore
Geographic Range Found in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Italy
Life Span 5 to 7 Years
Offspring 1 - 4 Porcupettes
