One of eight Old World Porcupines. Mainly found along the Mediterranean coast of Africa. This porcupine is known for its stout, cylindrical quills. They have a short tail and the presence of rattle quills. The quills are thinned walled so several quills vibrating together produce a rattle. These porcupines are highly adaptable being found in all types of regions. They shelter mainly in borrows and often have several entrances. One borrow was found to be over 50 feet in length with three escape holes. At the least encounter with another animal, they raise and fan their quills, and finally charge backward, attempting to drive the thicker, shorter quills of the rump into the enemy. Lions, leopards are sometimes injured or killed in this manner.
