The Cape porcupine uses many habitats with sufficient vegetation and cover. It favours rocky hills and outcrops offering retreats. It may rest in caves, other a
od pyska do nasady ogonaReference values · details in the profiles
Hystrix africaeaustralis
od pyska do nasady ogonaMeasurement: side
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The Cape porcupine uses many habitats with sufficient vegetation and cover. It favours rocky hills and outcrops offering retreats. It may rest in caves, other animals' burrows or its own shelters. It emerges to feed mainly at night, although daytime sightings also occur.
It feeds mainly on roots, tubers, bulbs, fallen fruit and bark. Powerful claws help extract underground plant parts. Bone gnawing has also been described and may supply missing minerals.
Solitary individuals and small family groups occur. Both parents may care for young for a long time. Quills serve for defence and are not shot out. It erects them when threatened and may also direct its rear, armed with sharp quills, towards an attacker.
nos → nasada ogona; ogon wyłączony. HMW: długość głowy i tułowia 630–805 mm. Ogon 10,5–13 cm i wystające kolce wyłączone. Punkt to środek zakresu, a nie średnia populacji. Wysokość obrysu wynika z proporcji ilustracji; przód jest przybliżoną projekcją.