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| African Crested Porcupine - Hystrix cristata | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 10 2012, 08:37 AM (1,606 Views) | |
| Elephantus | Jul 10 2012, 08:37 AM Post #1 |
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Tusker
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African Crested Porcupine - Hystrix cristata![]() Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Hystricidae Genus: Hystrix Subgenus: Hystrix Species: Hystrix cristata The African crested porcupine is a species of rodent in the Hystricidae family. It is the largest species of porcupine. It is found throughout Africa and parts of the Middle East, with a small population in Italy. Habitat Most crested porcupines live in sub-Saharan Africa. In the Mediterranean, it is known from mainland Italy and the island of Sicily, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia; there are also records from Libya, and along the Egyptian coast. It is sometimes asserted that the porcupine was introduced to Italy by the Romans, but fossil and sub fossil remains suggest it was possibly present in Europe in the Upper Pleistocene. They are very adaptable and can be found in forests, on plantations, in rocky or mountainous areas as well as in deserts. Description The adult crested porcupine has an average head and body length of about 60 - 83 cm (24 - 33 in) long, discounting the tail, and weighs from 13 to 27 kg (29 to 60 lb). Almost the entire body is covered with bristles which are either dark brown or black and rather coarse. This mammal is recognizable by the quills that run along the head, nape, and back that can be raised into a crest. Hence the name crested porcupine. There are also some sturdier quills which are about 35 cm (14 in) in length and run along the sides and back half of the body. These sturdier quills are used, for the most part, for defense and are usually marked with light and dark bands which alternate; these are not firmly attached. This porcupine has a shorter tail which has rattle quills at the end. The rattle quills broaden at the terminal end and the broad portion is hollow with thin walls. When these quills are vibrated they produce a hiss-like rattle. The front feet of the crested porcupine have four developed and clawed digits with a regressed thumb, the rear feet have five. The paws have naked and padded soles and have a plantigrade gait. The ears are external and both the eyes and ears are very small with long vibrissae on its head. ![]() Ecology The crested porcupine is a terrestrial mammal; they very seldom climb trees, but can swim. They are nocturnal and monogamous. The crested porcupine takes care of the young for a long time and small family groups consist of the adult pair and young of various ages. In defense, when disturbed, they raise and fan their quills to make themselves look bigger. If continually bothered, the crested porcupine will stamp its feet, whirr the quills, and charge the disturber back end first trying to stab the enemy with the thicker, shorter quills. These attacks are known to have killed lions, leopards, hyenas, and even humans. The Crested porcupine is for the most part herbivorous, eating roots, bulbs, and crops. But occasionally they do consume insects, small vertebrates and carrion. In order to ingest calcium and sharpen incisors they often gnaw on bones. These animals often travel long distances looking for food. They have high crowned teeth that grind plant cells which are digested in the stomach and the undigested fibers are retained in an enlarged appendix and anterior large intestine where they are broken down by microorganisms. Reproduction Most of what is known about reproduction in the crested porcupine comes from individuals in captivity. Usually female crested porcupines have one litter every year. One or two very well developed young are born in a chamber within the burrow that is usually lined with grass, but only after a 66 day gestation period, on average. The young weigh about 1000 g at birth, which is about three percent of the mothers weight. They leave the den after one week. At this time the spines begin to harden. ![]() Edited by Taipan, Jul 10 2012, 10:53 PM.
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5:04 AM Jul 12