Nashville Zoo Announces a Pair of Porcupettes

NASHVILLE, TN – March 19, 2020 – Nashville Zoo announces the birth of two Cape Porcupines. The porcupettes (the common name for baby porcupines) were born on Feb. 24 each weighing approximately 450 grams (about a pound).

Sex has yet to be determined. Both mother and porcupettes are doing fine.

"Mkali (the mother) has been well trained which is very beneficial for her keepers," said Nate Morris, one of the porcupine keepers at Nashville Zoo. "She's learned how to voluntarily let our veterinary team ultrasound her so we've been able to follow her pregnancy up to birth. This has given us valuable information about porcupine reproduction and biology."

The two porcupettes will stay with the mother and father (Jake) until the animal care team can accurately determine sex. At that point, they will either relocate to meet new mates or become animal ambassadors for their species.

Cape Porcupines (Hystrix africaeaustralis) are native to Central and Southern Africa and are not considered endangered. Farmers consider this species a pest because they are known to destroy crops. Nashville Zoo has four Cape Porcupines including the new additions. Nashville Zoo also participates in the Cape Porcupine Species Survival Plan (SSP) in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining captive population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable. To date, six Cape Porcupines have been born at Nashville Zoo.

For more information, visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

About Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is a nonprofit organization and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is actively engaged in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the globe as well as in our own backyard. The Zoo attracts more than 1,260,000 visitors annually and is considered one of the top attractions in Nashville. Nashville Zoo is located at 3777 Nolensville Pike. For more information about Nashville Zoo, visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

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