The crested porcupine is a large rodent covered in long, black-and-white quills. It is found in Africa and Italy and is famous for its formidable defence.
Interesting facts
- It is one of the largest rodents in the world.
- When threatened, it raises its quills, stamps its feet and rattles hollow quills on its tail.
- Porcupines gnaw bones to get minerals and sharpen their teeth.
- Pairs often stay together and live in family groups in burrows.
- Italy’s porcupines may have been brought by people in ancient times, or may have arrived naturally.
- It is mostly nocturnal and rarely seen by day.
Behaviour
Crested porcupines are nocturnal and spend the day in burrows or caves. They travel long distances at night to find food.
Breeding and young
After about three and a half months, females give birth to one to three young, whose quills are soft at birth and harden within days.
Threats and conservation
The species is widespread, but it is hunted for meat and quills and killed as a crop pest.
Where to see it
- Tuscany and Abruzzo, Italy (camera traps and night walks)
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya, at night
- Serengeti and Ngorongoro, Tanzania, on night drives
- Accredited zoos
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
