The African Crested Porcupine is a large stout rodent, with small eyes, a blunt rounded head, and erect black and white quills, which cover the crown, back and flanks of the animal. The nocturnal porcupine has poor eyesight, so it relies on its sense of smell and strong hearing to find food. It will use its paws to hold food while eating and will keep an assortment of bones in its burrow to gnaw on.
Very few animals will tangle with a porcupine because of its sharp quills. The mammal can be dangerous when cornered and threatened. It will raise its quills and charge backward, lodging loosely attached quills into an attacker. Contrary to popular belief, it does not shoot quills at enemies. The quills may cause deep wounds and in time may even prove fatal. At one time they were used by African tribes as arrow tips or darts.

The porcupine creates large burrows that may be used by a variety of other animals. A female will produce two to three litters every year. Courtship between males and females consists of the animals licking each other. Baby porcupines are covered with bristles and soft quills when they are born, which will harden a few hours after birth. Babies are then nursed and in two weeks are able to eat solid food.