Really cute animals. The keeper was cleaning the enclosure but had a box of new vegetables there. Every time he turned around they would start climbing into the box to steal the food.
there would have been about ten I guess. They may have all been related, or they may be just a random grouping. Porcupines do seem to get on well together in groups in zoos, although in the wild (not that I have seen them in the wild yet!) they travel around alone. I think they might be one of those animals which is generally solitary but also quite social (i.e. not territorial), if that makes sense.
I don't think I've ever seen them kept in any larger groupings than pairs, but I have seen several photos (probably mostly yours!) of porcupine exhibits in Asia with large groups living together.
Do you think there is much chance of you seeing them in the wild?
yes they are quite commonly kept in groups in Asian zoos (both the Malayan crested porcupines and the brush-tailed porcupines) and they always seem really happy with each others company. Perhaps Asian species are more tolerant than African porcupines though.
Both species are common in the wild all over southeast Asia, they are just one of those animals (like slow loris!) which I just can't seem to find. I am hoping to see at least one species on this trip. I even know specific sites where they are near-guaranteed (e.g. where they come to feed on scraps put out in parks and reserves) but that doesn't seem to help unblock my porcupine deficiencies.
