There's some prickly new additions at Paradise Wildlife Park following the arrival of two beautiful crested porcupines.
Visitors to the Hertfordshire zoo can now see Nancy and Ellie in their new home next to Paradise's camel habitat, opposite the Rainforest Building.
New-porcupines-Nancy-and-Ellie-at-Paradise-Wildlife-Park
"Nancy and Ellie have settled in remarkably well together in their new home and we cannot wait for you to meet them," said a PWP spokesperson.
Nancy arrived at Paradise from Wingham Wildlife Park and is four years old.
Her favourite food is butternut squash.
She has settled very well and spends most of her day asleep in bed and then her evenings digging holes and chewing on the logs and branches keepers have placed in the enclosure.
Ellie arrived at the wildlife park in White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, from Five Sisters Zoo in Scotland.
She is a little more timid than her housemate, Nancy, but keepers say she is settling in very well.
Nancy has even taken Ellie under her wing (or spikes!) and they are often seen cuddling up in bed together.
Did you know?
• Porcupines can NOT throw their quills.
• Porcupines are nocturnal, which means they are active primarily at night.
• Porcupine vision is poor, but they have an excellent sense of smell.
• Baby porcupines are called "porcupettes".
Porcupines can be found in many areas of the world. Some live in Africa and Asia, whereas others can be found in South America.
One thing that ties all porcupines together are their sharp quills on their back.The Latin translation of porcupine means “quill pig”.
The quills tend to lie flat until the creatures feel threatened or nervous, and this is when the quills stand vertically. Quills are often used as a protective mechanism.
Many predators often leave a porcupine with the quills embedded in their mouth and nose.
If porcupines lose a quill, they can grow a new one in their place.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here