Crested
Porcupine, Hystrix spp
Suborder
Hystricognathi
Old World porcupines live in
Africa and some parts of Asia. Porcupines are vegetarian, feeding
on roots, bulbs and fruit. In cultivated fields porcupines can
cause a great deal of damage by digging up crops such as potatoes
and groundnuts.
When slightly angry the
porcupine raises its quills and rattles specialised hollow quills
on its tail. If this fails to have the desired effect the hind
feet are thumped on the ground in a war dance accompanying
the rattling. Only if the threat persists will the porcupine turn
its back on its opponents and charge backwards with its lethal
spines at the ready.
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