THE SOUTH AFRICAN PORCUPINE 



(Hystrix africa-australis) 

 Mcanda of Amaxosa ; Ingungumbane of Zulus ; Nunku of Basuto. 



The South African Porcupine is widespread in South 

 Africa, and ranges as far north as Central Africa. 



Among the many remarkable-looking animals of 

 the world, it stands out prominently by reason of 

 its peculiar armament of long and sharp quills with 

 which its back and sides are studded. These are 

 sharp-pointed, and constitute the animal's sole 

 means of defence against its many enemies. All 

 the carnivorous animals of the country seek to devour 

 it, but few are daring enough to attack so formidable 

 an opponent. 



On the slightest alarm it instantly races away for 

 home, which is a burrow excavated by itself, or a 

 deep cleft in the rocks on some adjacent stony hill. 

 These rock shelters are always preferred for the 

 reason that they are invariably cosy and dry, and 

 afford a securer protection than a burrow on the 

 hill-side or veld. The lairs in the rock crevices are 

 usually considerably improved by the animal, which 

 deepens them, and scrapes out all loose earth and 

 stones. Sometimes a deep burrow is tunnelled be- 

 neath an overhanging ledge or boulder. Should the 



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