African porcupines' journey to Europe: A spiny migration tale

African porcupines primarily inhabit savannas and semi-desert regions, predominantly in Africa's southern and eastern parts. Intriguingly, the giant porcupine from Africa also made its way to Europe and settled relatively easily. How did this come about?

The African porcupine is one of the largest members of the porcupine family. It is distinguished by a robust body and long, hard quills, which provide natural protection against predators. Adult porcupines can reach a length of up to 3 feet (90 cm) and weigh up to 66 pounds (30 kg).

African porcupines inhabit savannas and semi-deserts, mainly in the southern and eastern parts of Africa. They favour areas with dense vegetation, which offers shelter and suitable conditions for foraging.

Interestingly, the giant porcupine from Africa also reached Europe. As Interia notes, it settled in Italy almost entirely. So how did it get here? After all, porcupines are not indigenous to Europe or even Eurasia.

Palaeontological data indicate that porcupines were present in Italy and other parts of Europe in the Pleistocene (possibly up to the early Holocene), but there is now broad consensus that these belonged to different species, now extinct. Apart from some unreliable prehistoric finds, there is no evidence that porcupines occurred again in Italy and the rest of Europe before historic times - emphasise Italian zoologists Marco Masseti, Umberto Albarella, and Jacopo De Grossi Mazzorin.

It is, therefore, probable, but not certain, that the African porcupine was introduced to Italy and Sicily around the turn of antiquity and the Middle Ages. As a result, Italy is the only European country with porcupines.

African porcupines are nocturnal creatures, which means they are most active after dusk. They spend the day in their burrows, avoiding the heat and potential threats. At night, they venture out in search of food. Porcupines are relatively solitary, only coming together during the mating season.

One of the most distinctive features of the African porcupine is its long, sharp quills. When threatened, the porcupine raises its quills, which can painfully prick an attacker. The porcupine can violently shake its tail, dislodging quills towards the predator if necessary.