Crested Porcupine
Hystrix cristata
The crested porcupine lives in long-term pairs or small family groups, sharing burrows that may be used for many years and enlarged over successive generations. It is mainly nocturnal and feeds on roots, tubers, fruits and bark. Through its digging activity and seed dispersal, it helps shape the soil and contributes to the balance of the ecosystems it inhabits.
IUCN RED LIST
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) classifies living species according to criteria that take into account their level of threat of extinction: the Red List is an indispensable tool for coordinating nature conservation actions, a veritable barometer of the health of our Planet.
Lives in south-central Italy, northern and southern Africa
Fun Fact
EVERYONE SAYS IT SHOOTS ITS QUILLS… AND IT REALLY DOES!
The porcupine is not only able to launch its quills, but it can also select which ones to use to defend itself against a threat.
A specialized muscular system surrounds each quill at its base, and at the right moment a contraction causes it to shoot away.
Gli animali che vivono nella stessa area geografica
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