We have two Cape porcupines here at Edinburgh Zoo, a male named Rick and a female named Zahara.

FACT FILE 

• If cornered, the Cape porcupine can stab its attacker with its 50cm long quills
• Their quills are covered in hard keratin, the same material that rhino horns and human fingernails are made of!
• Hollow spines on their tail make a rattling sound to scare predators
• As herbivores they eat fruit, roots and bark which helps maintain ecosystems

HOW WE'RE HELPING

Like all the animals in our care Rick and Zahara are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.

As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health, to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.

Find out more about RZSS conservation