South African porcupine

Body length from 63 to 80.5 cm, tail length from 10.5 to 13 cm. Adults weigh 10-24.1 kg.

This is Africa's largest rodent. The average body weight is slightly different depending on the area of ​​residence, and the weight of the females is slightly larger. A characteristic feature of this species is the white middle line along the croup. It is an animal with strong, relatively short legs and a short, well-hidden tail. The head is rounded with a grayish-brown bristle on the face and thick, mobile vibrissae. The eyes are small, located far back on the head, the ears are invisible, but in shape resemble human ones. The body is covered with bristly hair, long spikes up to 50 cm long, thick defensive needles up to 30 cm long, and flattened bristly hairs. On the tail there is a bunch of strongly altered, hollow needles.

Distributed in South Africa (Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe). Lives in most types of vegetation typical of South Africa, absent only in forests. Range in height from sea level to 2000 m above sea level.

South African porcupine leads a nocturnal, terrestrial and solitary lifestyle, but sometimes can live in groups of 2-3 individuals. During the day he finds refuge in crevices, caves, abandoned burrows, which changes according to his own needs, but he can also dig holes. This species is monogamous and groups are formed from an adult couple, from an adult couple and their offspring, from an adult male and young individuals. Vegetarian, feeds on roots, tubers, bulbs, fallen fruits, various plants, leaves, sometimes gnaws on tree bark.

Puberty is achieved during the second year of life for females and at the age of 8 to 18 months for males. Males and females are reproductive active throughout the year. The average duration of pregnancy is 94 days. Females give birth on average once a year with an interval between two consecutive offspring of 385 days. From one to three cubs are born: in 58.8% of cases, one, in 32.1%, two, the rest is triple. The weight of newborns varies from 300 to 440 g (about 2.1% of the average female weight). Newborns do not differ in weight depending on gender. The spinal needles are soft and pointed at birth. The average lactation duration in 9 females was 101 days. Life expectancy of about 10 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. The population of the species increases slowly, both because of the small size of the offspring and because of the long period of pregnancy, but their longevity and care for young individuals allow you to keep the desired population size.

• Grubb, P. In: IUCN 2008
• Erika L. Barthelmess Hystrix africaeaustralis - Mammalian Species, 2006, No. 788, pp. 1-7