Cape Porcupine

Afrikaans name: Ystervark

Cape Porcupine

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Hystrix africaeaustralis

Interesting facts about Cape Porcupines

The Cape Porcupine can weigh up to 30 kg and grow to a length of 60 cm. They are the largest rodents found in South Africa.

Male and female have a similar appearance but females are slightly larger. Each family group has a territory and more than one generation of youngsters may be found with the adults.

Porcupines feed off bulbs and tubers which they dig up with their strong claws. They will also eat fallen fruit.

They normally give birth to a single offspring but it may number 4 on rare occasions.

The Cape Porcupine is mainly active at night although they may occasionally be seen during the day.

Their long quills are used to defend themselves against predators.

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 24

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 51

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 200

Wild Issue 42 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 44

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 20

The Smaller Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. De V. Pienaar et al - Published: 1980 - Page: 119

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 44

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 34

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 344

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 2 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 89

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 182

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 321

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 77

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 102

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 44

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 41

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 8

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 152

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 167

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 40

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 59

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 321

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 419

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 121

Guide to the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park - Author: Gus Mills and Clem Haagner - Published: 1996 - Page: 72

First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2003 - Page: 18

Field Guide to the West Coast - Author: H. Marshall and B. Mommsen - Published: 1994 - Page: 122

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 146

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 96

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 300

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 230

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 173

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 96

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 48

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 81

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 38

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 152

SANBI

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List of South African Mammals