By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Peaches continues to adapt to her new home. Just over a year ago, at four months old, the African Crested Porcupine was brought to Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo. Zoo Director Ashley Burdick said the African Crested porcupine is one of more than two dozen species of the animal.
"Most people are familiar with our North American porcupines," she said. "They're a little bit smaller and like to climb trees, whereas African Crested porcupines are more on the ground. They like to do more digging and things like that."
Crested porcupines are found in Africa and Italy and can weigh up to 60 pounds, whereas North American porcupines typically weigh between 11 and 35 pounds. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines are unable to shoot their quills in self-defense. They can whip their tails around, causing loose quills to fall out.
"Our African Crested porcupine's quills are way larger than the North American porcupine's quills," Burdick said. "There are some that are over a foot long and super sharp. They're definitely an interesting little critter."
The Brit Spaugh Zoo also welcomed Rufus, a red-tailed hawk, in September. Rufus joined the free Great Bend Zoo from another facility that was ready to retire him.