Prickly Porcupette Born at Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: October 12, 2021 11:58 pm

The baby cape porcupine which has been born at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo

Photo Credit: Roland Baulcomb/RZSS

RZSS Edinburgh Zoo is now home to Scotland’s only baby porcupine, known as a porcupette. It was born to first time parents Zahara and Rick on August 31st 2021 and is now around one month old.

Patrons of the wildlife conservation charity have named the youngster Fiddich. The one month old cape porcupine is now spending more time outside with mom and dad.

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Cape porcupines are found across Central and Southern Africa. Here they can be found in woodlands, grasslands, deserts and rocky hills.

Their quills are covered in keratin, the same substance which makes up rhino horns and human fingernails.

The baby cape porcupine which has been born at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo

Photo Credit: Roland Baulcomb/RZSS

Learn more about Cape Porcupines here – Cape Porcupine Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Edinburgh Zoo on their website – Edinburgh Zoo