AnAge entry for Hystrix africaeaustralis

Classification (HAGRID: 03007)

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Mammalia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Rodentia
                Family: Hystricidae
                    Genus: Hystrix
Species
Hystrix africaeaustralis
Common name
Cape porcupine

Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits

Maximum longevity
23.1 years (captivity)
Source
ref. 671
Sample size
Medium
Data quality
Acceptable
Observations

In the wild, these animals can live up to 15 years [0434]. One captive specimen lived for 23.1 years [0671].

Life history traits (averages)

Female sexual maturity
375 days
Male sexual maturity
390 days
Gestation
94 days
Weaning
77 days
Litter size
2.1 (viviparous)
Litters per year
1.7
Inter-litter interval
379 days
Weight at birth
351 g
Weight at weaning
Adult weight
24,000 g
Postnatal growth rate
Maximum longevity residual
101%

Metabolism

Typical body temperature
311ºK or 37.5ºC or 99.5ºF
Basal metabolic rate
13.1750 W
Body mass
11300.0 g
Metabolic rate per body mass
0.001166 W/g

References

External Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System
ITIS 584680
Animal Diversity Web
ADW account (if available)
Encyclopaedia of Life
Search EOL
NCBI Taxonomy
Taxonomy ID 10138
Entrez
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Ageing Literature
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Internet
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