The African Porcupine is a species of rodent with long, slender spines that can extend up to 50 cm. These spines cover the whole back of the animal and can be lifted by muscles under the skin.
Both the male and female porcupines can weigh between 22 and 53 pounds and 10 to 24 kilogrammes (up to 30 kg).
Both sexes of porcupines are greater than half a metre long and the females weigh on average roughly one kilogramme more than males. In the wild, they can live 12 to 15 years, which is long for rodents.
Although the porcupine resembles the echidna in appearance, they are not closely related. The echidna, commonly referred to as the spiny anteater, is a species of monotreme with long, coarse hair mixed in with stiff, projecting spines.
The African Porcupine shares the same brownish-black coat and paler-coloured spines as the echidna. The length of an echidna is half that of an African porcupine. In their region, African porcupines are the biggest rodent.
The back and flanks of the porcupine feature quills and spines, and they are clothed in flat, bristly hair. With spines being up to 50 cm long and quills being up to 30 cm long, the main differences between the sexes are length and thickness.
The animal may easily project a huge, menacing appearance by raising its white and black crown of spines and quills.
The hollow spines on the tail generate a rattling sound when moved. When a predator touches or shakes off the extremely sharp spines and quills, they fall off, but they quickly grow back. Additionally, African porcupines have exceptionally long, movable whiskers.
The majority of African porcupine hunting is opportunistic. Many are captured when searching with spotlights for other nocturnal species at night.
If hunting for porcupine specifically, any type of rifle will do. African porcupines have been successfully hunted with air rifles, spears, and any small calibre rifle. Just beware of the sharp ends of the quills when shooting porcupine, as they make fantastic trophies.
Porcupines are typically hunted alone at night with a spotlight. When discovered scuttling back to their den to sleep off the daylight hours, they are occasionally seen as a trophy of opportunity.
The IUCN rates porcupines as a species of least concern. However, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has specific rodent import laws that apply to the importation of these trophies if they are brought into the country.
In Africa, there is a considerable overlap in the ranges of porcupines. For instance, the southern African Cape Porcupine is widespread across the entire continent, reaching as far as Kenya and Uganda. However, the trophy list provided by outfitters does not identify the type of porcupine.
Botswana, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are all possible places to go porcupine hunting.
The gorgeous South African porcupine can be hunted and harvested with Hunt24. The world’s best place to go porcupine hunting is in the South African province of Limpopo.
We provide fantastic Trophy Porcupine Hunts throughout the year. In South Africa, there are no seasonal limits on hunting the porcupine, making it a viable trophy year-round.
The South African Porcupine is often targeted by our hunters in combination with a 7–10 day African safari. Your guide during your porcupine hunt will be one of our skilled and qualified professional hunters.
Usually, we hunt porcupines using the spot-and-stalk method, still hunting, or still hunting with a bow. We are able to accommodate all types of porcupine hunting techniques, including handgun, crossbow, black powder, and rifle. Hunting enthusiasts of any age and skill level are welcome.
