Characteristic features Apart from their spines, they have long black bristles all over the body and a black and white bristle comb in the forehead. Porcupines can reach a shoulder height of 25cm and a weight of 15-30kg.
Special characteristics The spines can have a length up to 60cm. To secure the calcium content in the spines the porcupines nibble at the bones remaining of carrion.
Food Being an omnivore they mainly eat fruits, small mammals and rodents.
Enemies Their main enemies are lions and leopards.
Life expectancy Porcupines can age up to 20 years.
