The Crested
Porcupine (Hystrix cristata) in Cyprus is also
found in Italy, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. In the Mediterranean it is
known from mainland Italy and the island of Sicily, Morocco, Algeria, and
Tunisia.
Crested
porcupines are nocturnal animals that spend their time in burrows during the
daytime. The burrow is self-constructed to a length of 10 metres and a width of
four metres.
The
porcupine has quills which are raised when alarmed or irritated. Porcupines
also rattles the hollow spines on its tail, and if the offending animal has not
retreated, the porcupine launches a backwards attack and rams its tail into the
animal. This drives the porcupines spines deep into the enemy’s body.
The Cyrpus Crested Porcupine is compatible with the mongoose and other rodents.
MARTINA NICOLLS is an international
aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of
Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet
(2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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