Cape Porcupine
The Cape porcupine is the largest porcupine species and the fourth largest rodent in the world! Like other porcupines, they use their sharp, spiky quills as a defense. While they can’t shoot their quills, they have a clever trick: they’ll back into threats, causing their barbed quills to detach and stick into whatever’s too close for comfort! They may also rattle their quills as a warning before getting defensive.
These quills are actually just modified hairs that get shed regularly—no need for them to keep the same quills forever. It’s just part of their natural defense system!
Kutarna’s Story
Here at the zoo, we care for a lovable Cape porcupine named Kutarna. Kutarna enjoys a healthy diet of herbivore biscuits, leafy greens, fruits, and veggies—and she’s especially fond of corn on the cob! Her constantly growing teeth keep her busy, so she loves chewing on paper bags, boxes, and other cardboard items for fun.
Come visit Kutarna and learn all about this spiky, sweet animal and her fascinating defense strategies!