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Photo Courtesy of Prague Zoo Facebook Page

Visitors to the Prague Zoo will once again catch sight of the Indian crested porcupines after a two-year break from public view. Their new enclosure was unveiled to the public by the Zoo Director Miroslav Bobek on May 25, 2024.

These Indian Crested Porcupines were moved to a non-public area after their enclosure was converted into an aviary. Their new facility lies between the predator pavilion and the giant tortoise enclosure in Prague Zoo. Currently, their new exhibit hosts five female porcupines and two juveniles. Plans are underway to add an adult male porcupine this year, to enhance ease of breeding.

“It is far more spacious and varied, with improved indoor areas. The conditions are much better for the animals. It should also be better for visitors, as the animals now have an elevated feeding area, making them more visible,” said Miroslav Bobek. Quoted by expats.cz.

According to the zoo officials, the porcupine’s previous house near the Sichuan Pavilion, was not an ideal environment. Following its conversion into an aviary, that opened to the public last year, the zoo was prompted to construct a new area for the porcupines.

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“We were reluctant to lose the porcupines, so we decided to build a new exhibit for them,” added Bobek.

The Magic of These Creatures

The beauty of the Indian crested porcupine consists of its large head with a blunt snout and long quills and spines covering its body. Though the latter are for defense against predators, these animals don’t shoot their quills.

Furthermore, they mostly feed on plant-based materials. Yet, they also take in animal bones in the wild, to get elements needed for their quill development. Prague Zoo officials cite that the zoo also provides the species with animal bones.

Besides, Indian crested porcupines have called Prague Zoo home since 1942. With incomplete historical accounts of their time at the zoo during this era, Ferdinand is the most famous porcupine in the zoo’s history. He was male and lived at least 31 years from August 1981 until May 2012.