Rearing, and Reproduction and Growth Performances of the African Brush-Tailed Porcupine. Study Results on Its Reproduction in Captivity

Abstract

The African brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus, Gray 1842) is bushmeat consumers’ most appreciated species in Gabon. Works conducted under the Game Breeding Development Program in Gabon (DGEG) helped set up technical references on how to breed this rodent. Animals are bred in covered pens or metallic barrels. Feeding is based on tubers and peanuts. Reproduction occurs all year round with animals at least 11 months old. The pair stays two months together. After a little less that 100 days, females give birth to a single young that is weaned at 45 days. At 10 months, animals weigh 2450 g and can be put up for sale. The brushtailed porcupine is robust and mortality rates are low. However, some reproduction parameters and feed costs constrain the economic prospects of this type of breeding.