Meet Rita and Oliver: Monarto’s remarkable Cape Porcupines

Meet Rita and Oliver: Monarto’s remarkable Cape Porcupines

If you grew up watching cartoons, you might think porcupines can shoot their quills. But here at Monarto Safari Park, Native Species Supervisor Gemma is quick to set the record straight. “When a predator threatens them, they don’t fire their quills,” she explains. “Instead, they puff themselves up and back into the threat.” Cape Porcupines have quills that are loosely embedded in their skin. When they reverse into a predator — a Lion or Leopard …