Care Guide Reference

Brush Tailed Porcupines
Atherurus africanus
Africa

General

This species is found only in the African countries of Gambia, Kenya and Zaire.

The Brush Tailed Porcupine has a body length of roughly 2 feet, with an additional tail length of around 8-10".

Whilst its body is long and somewhat tapered, its legs are squat and short. The coloration’s of this species can vary between ascending shades of brown up to blacks.

Unlike the Crested Porcupines spines, the Brush Tailed are covered with a flatter to the skin protective quill. It has a tail, which is somewhat creamy yellow in colour at the tip.

This is a species that is in the main a ground dweller, but this is not saying that they are not agile nor clumsy. They are extremely fast on their feet, have a tendency given the chance to take precarious leaps and are more than able to climb all kinds of presented obstacles.

Have a preference for rock like crevices to be used as daytime hide away, are in the main nocturnal, but are also just as active during the diurnal hours.

Feeding

Predominantly a herbivore although carrion can be taken, but it is not part of the diet l fed mine.

Similar diet to that of the Crested Porcupine, but with more of an accent on fruit content. l found in the four years of having my single male, but looking after others, that they really are quite versatile in what their consumption consists of.  

Large Ceramic Dish:

Filled with a Quality Rabbit Mixture, topped with monkey nuts, pignuts, and on alternating days dog compound.

When l had this species in my collection they received a full range of both fruit and vegetables, and will without question tackle most things. He has a preference to slightly out of date product and bananas with their skin both on and off, the same applies l have found to a lot of skinned fruits.

All are supplied with seasonal weeds, which they will readily consume, and a huge pile of good quality hay.

Housing & Internal Environment

This species will live in a variety of different environments with an array of cohabitation guests, including guinea pigs, Meerkat and fancy rat.

I had my single in an environment of 12x4x9 fully hard meshed enclosure.

Within this enclosure l did include many hideaways, logs, climbing branches, tunnels and vast quantities of deep hay reserves.

Brush Tailed Porcupines that l have maintained are extremely agile, and enjoy the ‘climbing experience’, and as such it is best to ensure that they do have sufficient obstacles to achieve this goal. As a digging species they will enjoy the presence of soil level pit.

General Observations and Legislation

Overall l find the character of this charming species to be just that - charming - noted for his friendliness or tolerance of other species, proves this species to be an overall adaptable animal.

I have never witnessed any aggressive behaviour from him, apart from the ‘shot across the bow’ rattle if l have disturbed him whilst sleeping or busy eating.

Again for the private keeper, a genuinely nice species to house and maintain and l have heard if purchased whilst young, do make for excellent indoor pets as long as their playtime is both curbed and supervised due to their gnawing habits.

However the final pointer is as follows:

The agitated porcupine looks like this:

Spines raised, so that the animal looks bigger than in reality, tail rattling, foot stomping, and if you are suddenly faced with the rear of the animal ‘prepare to meet thy doom’, for at an amazing speed the porcupine will reverse into the enemy/predator and embed the spines into the flesh, where upon they will be released and left in your ownership, painfully.