Our research was drawn from different parts of the continent, including Kenya, Namibia and South Africa. Scientists group porcupines into two groups: Old World porcupines, which are found in Africa, Europe and Asia; and New World porcupines, which are found in North, Central, and South America. Although they appear awkward, and are husky to say the least, porcupines of North and South America are actually arboreal and forage, eat and sleep in the trees. Martial Eagle Martial Eagle Less well known is the fact that they also use noises to warn away predators. Porcupines are rodents. The Cape Porcupine is 630 to 810 mm in length (excluding the small tail, which is about 110 to 200mm long). Often thought of as a carnivore, genets will eat nearly anything if it's convenient. South Africa Donts. Out of all porcupine species, only one (Philippine Porcupine) is listed as vulnerable. Humans are most likely to hear porcupine noises if the animal feels threatened. The common porcupine is an herbivore. Do not ever use ‘negro’ or ‘black’ which is banned in Africa, as it’s thought reflecting black slaves and their descendants who were trafficked to the United States. If you set foot on South African soil, don’t leave before you’ve enjoyed a traditional al fresco braai, as much for the barbecued food as for the cultural experience. ... North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. Usually, female crested porcupines have one litter every year. In the spring and summer, porcupines shift to eating berries, seeds, grasses, leaves, roots and stems. Porcupines are generalists, eating a wide range of plant material. In fact, many species of snakes eat porcupines and other horned or quilled animals, according to a study published in 2003 in the Phyllomedusa Journal of Herpetology. The smallest porcupine is the Rothschilds Porcupine from South America which weighs only 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds). That means that it can become endangered in the near future. The male plays an unusually active role in raising the litter of 2–4 young. Three animals, however, has figured out how to eat porcupines. Our research was drawn from different parts of the continent, including Kenya, Namibia and South Africa. Their diet changes seasonally. The South African Porcupine has small eyes and ears and rather short whiskers. Rabbits and deer are often blamed for this damage when many times it is being done by porcupines. Porcupines; Predators; Lion cubs eager for a meal find themselves in a prickly situation. For this reason, porcupines do not have to fear being eaten by very many animals. They can live in deserts, grasslands or forests. Do not call African indigenous ‘African’, as in Africa, the so-called African refers only to a specific group of people, the Republic of South Africa Netherlands Hispanic whites. For this reason, porcupines do not have to fear being eaten by very many animals. Three animals, however, has figured out how to eat porcupines. They eat the inner bark of many types of trees and bushes. With 56% of the population living below the national poverty line and unemployment at 28%, purchasing power for many is extremely limited. Formal commercial institutions such as banks, post offices and small businesses are closed for business. Photographing Lions With Technology. Porcupines love rose bushes, pansies, lily pads, all types of berries, corn, and several other garden favorites. Bobcats, cougars and fishers have learned that a porcupine has no quills on its stomach. The predator received a face full of quills after pouncing on two porcupines in South Africa's Kruger National Park. Mother porcupines do not defend their young, but have been known to care for them even after death. And while a 30-lb. The animals can weigh up to 30 pounds and be up to 2 1/2 feet long. Both males and females weigh between 10 and 24 kg. Porcupines have rounded bodies covered with many spines or quills and can be grey, brown or white in colour. Moreover, even the most affluent consumers are becoming more price-sensitive as living costs rise and the economy remains weak. Porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) are a nuisance to homeowners. In the Mediterranean, it is known from mainland Italy and the island of Sicily, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia; they are also recorded in Ghana, Libya and along the Egyptian coast. Do Eat a Braai. They live in America, Africa, Europe and Asia. The general coat coloration for North American porcupines is black or deep brown. In one case, when a baby had fallen to its death from a tree, the mother came down and stayed by her baby's side for hours waiting vainly for the baby to revive. South Africa’s Public Holidays Act (Act No 36 of 1994) determines that if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be a public holiday. Public transport is not affected and is usually busier than normal. To have a truly South African experience, eat a traditonal South African barbecue, also known as a braai. That can be a piece of toast with jam or cheese, a rusk (a thick and tooth-breakingly hard cookie), buttered bread, or even a hot dog bun. Porcupines are cathemeral, meaning they may be active night or day. Porcupines often gnaw bones because they need their minerals and also to sharpen their powerful incisors. Bobcats, cougars and fishers have learned that a porcupine has no quills on its stomach. During warm months, porcupines eat leaves, buds, nuts, fruit, twigs, and green plants. Largely a browser, the Cape grysbok feeds on succulent grasses and fruits in South Africa, and is not dependant on water. They are herbivorous, eating leaves, shoots, buds, fruits and nuts. These New World porcupines usually weigh between 12 and 35 pounds, with full body lengths of between 25 and 36 inches. Porcupines have been known to strip or “girdle” tree bark from both the trunk and upper limbs with their two front teeth, which can sometimes kill the tree. In the winter, they primarily eat evergreen needles and the inner bark of trees, often feeding heavily on a single tree causing damage or death to the tree. Porcupines form monogamous pairs, which mate throughout the year. It was left pulling the spines out its face and body. Their unique features have generated great interests from some humans but a majority of us wouldn't be looking to keep porcupines as pets. By exploring these cases, we were able to identify why lions sometimes hunt porcupines. Other African places include Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda. The largest porcupine is the African Porcupine which can weigh over 20 kilograms (44 pounds). North American porcupines have a relatively long life expectancy. Shivani Bhalla: Securing a Future for Lions. Porcupines live in many parts of North America, Africa, and South America. ^ Because porcupines primarily target wood, most people are unaware how much they like succulent plants. Crowned eagles generally live in South Africa, Madagascar, and Sub-Sahara Africa. From Morocco's b'stilla to South Africa's bunny chow, don't leave Africa without sampling at least a few of these exquisite foods. Under ideal conditions, females give birth twice a year. For its size -- about 4 1/2 pounds and 20 inches long -- a genet is a skilled and powerful hunter. PORCUPINES HAVE A POINT TO MAKE. They will also munch on foliage, twigs, harder bark buds, fruits, nuts, berries, flowers, and even deer and elk antlers to get calcium. Size. Habitat. Cape Grysbok Breeding After a gestation period of seven months, single lambs are born. It eats leaves, twigs and green plants like skunk cabbage and clover. These birds prey on small mammals, reptiles, birds, lizards, and monkeys. North American porcupines also eat fruit, leaves, and springtime buds. Found in Africa, Asia and Europe, genets are part of the Viverid family, which includes mongooses. Porcupines are considered exotic pets because they are wild animals and not typically kept as pets. The black dwarf porcupine that lives in Brazilian rainforests south of the Amazon River is a species I seldom talk, write, or even think about. Where do porcupines live? Porcupines are covered with quills that painfully stick into almost any predator that tries to attack them. What do Crowned Eagles Eat? The team found evidence of about 50 lions that had been injured or killed by porcupines since the 17th century. It's a tea-and-coffee culture, so breakfast is often a cup of something hot (with lots of sugar added) served alongside something bready. Centuries of European rule have left their mark on the "typical" South African breakfast. Life expectancy. Backyard Grill and Lounge in Cape Town is a wgreat place to try it, as is Flames in the Four Seasons Hotel, Johannesburg. South Africa is still very much a land of haves and have-nots. Rather, they get stuck in whatever touches the porcupine. Lambing often peaks in the months of spring, however they can be born throughout the year. Other porcupine species live in Africa, Europe, and Asia. by Whit Gibbons November 4, 2012. When the going gets tough, the prickly get going—especially in the case of a plucky porcupine that recently fended off 17 lions in South Africa's Londolozi Game Reserve. Lion cubs eager for a meal find themselves in a prickly situation. what do porcupines eat? Living With Lions in Namibia. During the winter, they chew through the outer tree bark to eat the tissue-like inner bark. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, take a tour to Mzoli’s Place, a butchery and braai hangout in Cape Town’s Gugulethu township. Follow it up with a popular melktert (custard-filled pastry) and if you fancy a little snifter to finish then a sweet and creamy glass of Amarula (liqueur) will definitely do the trick. People may notice several porcupine sounds when the animals are nearby. All porcupine species are similar at the first glance. WHAT DO PORCUPINES EAT? Some really big males can weigh up to 30 kg, but this is unusual. Then again, neither do scientists who study porcupines. Weight. X. Porcupine vs. Porcupines have a reputation as tough customers because of their sharp quills. It has been recorded from sea level to 2,550 m (8,370 ft) in Moroccan Anti-Atlas. Share Link. North American porcupines are some of the biggest rodents that come from North America, beaten out in size solely by beavers, according to the Woodland Park Zoo. Lions try to take on prickly porcupines. Lion . These species build their habitats in woodlands and forests. #5. How to Get Rid of Porcupines Digging Up Your Yard. 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