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Porcupine Tree

Porcupine Facts

Cape Porcupine

 

Latin Name: Hystrix africaeaustralis

 

Derivation of Name:

The name or word “Porcupine“ comes from the French word “porc- ?pique” (thorny pig).

 

Weight:  Both males and females weigh 20kg to 25kg.

 

Lifespan:  12 to 14 years.

 

Gestation Period: 3 Months.

 

Habitat: 

Porcupines are found in woodland, savannah and forest biomes as well as rocky outcrops. They often take shelter in aardvark (Antbear) burrows which they modify to make more comfortable.

 

Behaviour:

Porcupines are primarily nocturnal, moving alone or in small groups of 5 or 6 individuals.

The porcupine is Africa’s largest rodent. It is believed that they are capable of “shooting” their quills, but this is not the case. When the porcupine sees predators such as lion, leopard or hyena it will often “freeze”, in the hope that it won’t be noticed.  If confronted, it turns its back towards the predator, often running backwards resulting in a face pierced and filled with quills.

 

If given the chance it will crawl into a burrow face first only to expose its sharp quills, making it rather difficult for predator to dislodge them. Their quills are hollow and exceptionally sharp and upon losing them, they re-grow. The porcupine shakes its tail quills to create a rattling sound as a threatening distraction to predators.  They are also capable of erecting all their quills outwards to make themselves’ look larger and more intimidating.   

 

Diet:

Porcupines feed mainly on roots and tubers, which they dig out with relative ease using their strongly built claws. They also eat the bark from trees which chew and tear off with their sharp incisors. Other food sources include the fallen fruit from trees, carrion which is ideal for protein, as well as bones which they gnaw on for the extra calcium and phosphorous intake.

Bones are often taken back to the burrow to feed on at leisure.

 

The porcupine’s stomach is filled with symbiotic microorganisms which help break down the plants eaten into a usable form.

 

Breeding:

The female, at night, initiates courtship by presenting herself to the male. Mating takes place with the female’s quills flattened against her body and her tail raised to allow for safer copulation.

 

Before giving birth the female lines the chamber of the burrow with grass to create a comfortable nest.

 

After a 3 month gestation, she gives birth to between 1 and 3 youngsters. The youngsters suckle off the mother for approximately 3 weeks before they start eating solids, but are still dependant on the mother for at least another 3 months.

 

Unlike most mammals, the male also helps the female in taking care of the young. 

About the Author

I am an ex-game ranger from South Africa. I have 2 awesome blogs packed with information on all sorts of wildlife in Africa. I also talk about encounters with dangerous game while doing bush walks. Visit my Blogs to find out more: www.safari-stories.blogspot.com and www.southafrican-wildlife.blogspot.com

What songs by Porcupine Tree do you reccomend?

Ok, I have a iTunes giftcard, and I have decided, based on things people say in R & P and on what I've heard on the radio, to buy som Porcupine Tree stuff. Now the question is which songs? Reccomend your top three or so.
Thanks!
Holden: I was hoping the same thing, haha
Sarah: Thanks! I knew you'd come through for me with some reccomendations. Thanks for the links too. I will definitely listen to those and buy some.

Okay, Porcupine Tree's a pretty diverse band, so it depends on what you like.

The more "beautiful" songs are:
Lazarus

Collapse the Light Into the Earth

Heartattack in a Layby

Piano Lessons

The more rock ones are:
Blackest Eyes

Open car
Anesthetize

Fear of a Blank Planet

My personal favorites are:
Radioactive Toy

Buying New Soul
Russia On Ice
The Sky Moves Sideways
Shesmovedon

Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before it is Recycled:

My personal recommendations for a beginner:
Lazarus
Trains
Piano Lessons
Shesmovedon

Porcupine Tree "Fear Of A Blank Planet" HD