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Taphonomic aspects of African porcupines (Hystrix cristata) in the Kenyan Highlands

2009; Volume: 7; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

1696-2648

Job Munube Kibii,

Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology

Three porcupine (Hystrix cristata) burrows were investigated in the tea growing region of central Kenya. Owing to the fact that the region is largely devoid of bones, the porcupines are forced to collet and gnaw discarded plastics. My results contradict the hypothesis that H. Africaeaustralis and H. Cristata collect and gnaw bone to obtain nutrients. This hypothesis implies that porcupines evolved continuously growing incisors in response to a diet supplemented by hard resources. My findings insted support the hypothesis that porcupines collect and gnaw hard organic and inorganic items as a behavioral adaptation to hone and trim their continuously growing incisors.