SOUTH AFRICAN PORCUPINE 



105 



A pair in the Pretoria Zoo have regularly given birth to 

 two litters a year, the number being two at a birth, with 

 the exception of two occasions once when three were 

 born and again only one young one. The third young one 

 of the litter was not reared however. The male is a good 

 father, and if 'any interference with his family is attempted 



FIG. 32. Porcupines and Young. 



he will fly out of his house and approach sideways, rattling 

 his quills in a threatening manner, the sound somewhat 

 resembling a motor car being started up. The young 

 when born are about the size of a three-quarter grown 

 hedgehog, the quills being about three-quarters of an inch 

 long and quite soft. 



