Animal Guide

Indian Crested Porcupine

8 destinations · 8 states

Native Range: South Asia and the Middle East

The Indian crested porcupine is easy to recognize once you spot its long quills, but watching one for a few minutes reveals more than its spiky appearance suggests. It may shuffle around the enclosure with its nose close to the ground, investigating scents and searching for food. When it feels threatened, the quills can rise into a much more dramatic display, making the animal look considerably larger. The longest quills are found toward the rear and can be rattled to produce a warning sound. Despite their formidable defenses, these porcupines are active foragers, using strong claws to dig for roots, bulbs, and other underground food. Their quills are modified hairs rather than true spines, and they are not thrown at predators, a common myth worth remembering when you see one at a zoo. If the animal is resting, look for its busy whiskers and twitching nose.

Indian Crested Porcupine

Where to see Indian Crested Porcupine

8 destinations across 8 states

8 destinations

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Powell, OH

Little Rock Zoo

Little Rock, AR

Mill Mountain Zoo

Roanoke, VA

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Omaha, NE

Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix, AZ

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Tacoma, WA

Safari West

Santa Rosa, CA

Wild Adventures

Valdosta, GA

Your ZooHopper Passport

Turn your wildlife adventures into a Passport

Keep track of the zoos, aquariums, safari parks, and wildlife destinations you've visited—and save the places you want to explore next.

Remember every visit
Build your wishlist
Collect Passport Stamps
Share photos & contribute

Create Your Passport

Dan's Passport

Places: 12
States: 6
Wishlist: 9

Passport stamps

Recently visited

Bronx ZooBronx, NY
Georgia AquariumAtlanta, GA
San Diego Zoo Safari ParkEscondido, CA

MY WISHLIST

Monterey Bay AquariumMonterey, CA