Nature

QUILLER INSTINCT: How Was This Cute Baby Porcupine Conceived? Very Very Carefully Say Experts

This adorable baby porcupine has been born at a Swiss zoo where he has been exploring his surroundings with caring family members.

Wakili the cute porcupine was born at Zoo Zurich in the Swiss city of Zurich and he lives in the Kopje Rocks section of the park’s Lewa Savannah.

But experts revealed it is a miracle he is here at all.

The Old World porcupine offspring that was born in the Zurich Zoo in Switzerland on 3rd May. (Zoo Zurich, Enzo Franchini/Newsflash)

Because although a porcupine’s spines are a great defence against predators, they also make mating very tricky.

A zoo statement explained: “As a very efficient defence against attackers, the spines are more of an obstacle to reproduction.

“This is especially the case when the female defends herself against the male.

The Old World porcupine offspring that was born in the Zurich Zoo in Switzerland on 3rd May. (Zoo Zurich, Enzo Franchini/Newsflash)

“If mating is successful, the female gives birth to one to four young after a gestation period of about seven to eight weeks.”

Happily Wakili and his family look completely at home as they feed and play in their enclosure.

In a statement obtained by Newsflash, Zoo Zurich said on 18th May: “On 3rd May, a porcupine was born in the Kopje Rocks.

The Old World porcupine offspring that was born in the Zurich Zoo in Switzerland on 3rd May, with its parents. (Zoo Zurich, Enzo Franchini/Newsflash)

“It is a male and it goes by the name of Wakili. When Wakili isn’t hiding in the underground burrow, he’s curiously exploring the facility with the other group members.

“The little porcupine was born in the caves and corridors of the facility, which the adult porcupines build themselves and constantly expand.

“Just like in their African or southern European homeland, the nocturnal porcupines spend a large part of their time ‘underground’. At Zurich Zoo, they also like to leave their burrow during the day and appear on the surface for suitable food.

Two adult Old World porcupines at the Zurich Zoo in Switzerland. (Zoo Zurich, Enzo Franchini/Newsflash)

“Crested porcupines (Hystrix cristata) are often called pigs, but belong to the rodent family. In Africa, porcupines are the largest rodents, in Europe they are only surpassed in size by the European beaver.

“With their short legs, porcupines are not good sprinters. Their spikes are therefore their primary defence against predators. Like nails and hair, they consist mainly of keratin.”

The zoo said: “The large and thick spines are mainly used to ward off predators, smaller and thinner ones they probably also use as tactile aids. When a predator approaches, the porcupine uses muscles under its skin to erect its quills and adopt a threatening stance.

An adult Old World porcupine at the Zurich Zoo in Switzerland. (Zoo Zurich, Enzo Franchini/Newsflash)

“If the attacker doesn’t react, the porcupine will start rattling its quills and stamping its hind legs. In extreme cases, the porcupine will attack the enemy by running backwards or sideways towards it.

“The spikes can easily break off and lead to painful injuries and infections for the attacker. However, it is a persistent misconception that porcupines shoot their quills like javelins. Despite their good defensive behaviour, porcupines are regularly eaten by predators, especially lions and leopards in Africa.”

The statement continued: “The spines of the young animals are still short and soft at birth. They only harden after about a week.”

Two adult Old World porcupines in their enclosure at Zurich Zoo in Switzerland. (Zoo Zurich, Enzo Franchini/Newsflash)

The zoo added: “Common porcupines are sociable animals and spend their lives in family ties. The groups consist of a pair of parents that reproduce and the young from previous years.

“Three adult animals live in the Kopje rocks of the new Lewa Savannah at Zurich Zoo: Wakili’s mother, Otavi, is five years old and comes from Basel Zoo.

Her sister Quarta, also from Basel Zoo, is two years old.

An adult Old World porcupine at the Zurich Zoo in Switzerland. (Zoo Zurich, Enzo Franchini/Newsflash)

Wakili’s father is Kymani, who is not quite four years old. He came to Zurich Zoo from an animal park in Poland. As usual with porcupines, not only mother Otavi takes care of Wakili, but also father Kymani.

“Currently, Wakili still spends a lot of time in the sheltered underground passages, but can increasingly be seen with the other animals on the surface.”

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