Tbilisi Zoo is home to two Indian porcupines, a female and a male named Khrashuna and Khramuna. Their keepers chose the names for a reason: the porcupines make funny “crunching” sounds when they eat. Khrashuna is the bolder of the two, while Khramuna is more cautious.
Contrary to popular belief, porcupines have nothing in common with either badgers or hedgehogs. Badgers are carnivores, hedgehogs are insectivores, while porcupines are rodents.
Their most distinctive feature is their long, thick quills, which they mainly use for defence. When threatened, their first response is to flee rather than attack. And no, porcupines do not shoot their quills — that is simply a myth. When they sense danger, they
Alongside their varied diet, Khrashuna and Khramuna always have branches in their enclosure. They gnaw on the wood, which helps keep their teeth strong.
Porcupines are nocturnal animals. During the day, especially in summer, they prefer to stay in their shelter. They become active in the evening and start looking for food. That is why visitors who come to their enclosure during the day may see nothing more than a nose or head poking out of the burrow.
Tbilisi Zoo‘s history spans nearly a century. It was founded on 10 February 1927 on the basis of the Caucasian Society for the Acclimatisation of Animals, which had been keeping wild animals since the early 20th century, though without official zoo status.
The zoo was originally built on 70 hectares in the Vere River gorge. Over the years, the expansion of the capital — and later the devastating flood of 13 June 2015 — significantly reduced the territory of the old zoo. Today, it covers five hectares and is home to around 1,500 animals, each with its own story. In this video series, we will introduce you to the residents of Tbilisi Zoo.
We will show how their day unfolds, how they interact with other animals and people, and how their behaviour changes depending on the weather and the season. Get ready to hear many fascinating stories.
