South African porcupine skull

Weight: 103g 

Dimensions: 12.9 x 7.1 x 8.4cm

The South African or cape porcupine, Hystrix africaeaustralis, are among the largest rodents in the world growing to around a metre long and weighing up to 30kg. 

Starting around a third of the way down their body their large sharp spines cover their hindquarters and legs, when threatened they use these spines to defend themselves either by backing into the predator or wedging themselves into a hole with only their spines protruding.