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African brush-tailed porcupine
"African brush-tailed porcupine can climb well and swim well."
Food
leaves, fruit, bark, roots and flowers
Life span
15 years
Weight
1 - 4 kg
Number of youngsters
1 - 2
Gestation period
3,5 months
Habitat
Rainforests in western and central Africa
IUCN Status
Safe
EEP
No
About the African brush-tailed porcupine
The African brush-tailed porcupine lives in the rainforests of West and Central Africa. This nocturnal animal sleeps in burrows during the day and only emerges when it is really dark. With its keen sense of smell, it searches for leaves, fruit, bark, roots and flowers. The animal weighs 1 to 4 kilograms, usually gives birth to 1 to 2 young after a gestation period of 3.5 months and can live up to 15 years. When in danger, it raises its spines, stamps on the ground and swats its tail to scare off enemies. The species is not endangered.
Can the lights be turned off?
African brush-tailed porcupines are true nocturnal animals. During the day, they sleep in burrows or under a fallen tree. They do not come out of their burrow until it is completely dark. If the moon shines too brightly, they stay underground. When it is dark enough, they go looking for food. brush-tailed porcupines eat all kinds of plants. They look for them by smelling well.
Spiny
When a brush-tailed porcupine feels threatened, it raises its spines. This makes it look a lot bigger. To make an even bigger impression, it shakes its spines and stamps its legs on the ground. If that is not enough, it turns around, with its back to the danger. Once an attacker is close enough, it whips its tail and thrusts its spines into the enemy.