The African Crested Porcupine is the largest of the Porcupines. They average 28 inches in length, and can weigh as much as 50lbs. With quills that can be up to 20 inches in length they look much larger. When upset they raise and fan their quills to make themselves look bigger. If they are still bothered they will stamp their feet, whirr their quills and then charge the enemy with the thicker shorter quills. These attacks are known to have killed lions, leopards and even humans.

The African Crested Porcupine is native to Italy & North Africa. They are nocturnal. Unlike other porcupines the African Crested do not climb. They are recognizable by the quills that run along the head, nape and back that can be raised into a crest. Hence the name Crested Porcupine. Their front feet have 4 developed and clawed digits with a regressed thumb.

After a gestation period of 112 days one to three young are born. Weighing only 3% of their mothers body weight. At birth their quills are pure white and more like coarse hair then quills. They begin to become hard within hours of birth. Average life span in captivity is 15 years.