KENANSVILLE, Fla. — When you’re covered in sharp quills, you don’t need to do much to tell predators to keep their distance.

The African-crested porcupine is one of the distinctive exotic animals visitors can discover at Wild Florida Adventure Park’s Gator Park in Kenansville.

Native to parts of Africa and Italy, the African-crested porcupine is one of the world’s largest rodents. Its most recognizable feature is the impressive collection of quills covering portions of its body.

Despite a common myth, porcupines can’t shoot their quills at predators. Instead, their quills are part of an effective defense system. When threatened, a crested porcupine can raise its quills, making itself appear larger and much less inviting to approach.

The animals are primarily herbivores, feeding on plant material including roots, bulbs, fruits and other vegetation.

Seeing one in person, however, provides a much different perspective than simply reading about those adaptations.

That’s part of the experience at Wild Florida’s Gator Park, where more than 200 native and exotic animals give families an opportunity to discover wildlife from Florida and around the world.

A visit can also become a full day of adventure.

Guests can take their own vehicle through the Drive-thru Safari Park, encountering animals such as giraffes, zebras, bison and wildebeest, or take to the water aboard a Wild Florida airboat for a journey through the Headwaters of the Florida Everglades.

From an animal protected by thousands of quills to some of the largest animals roaming Wild Florida’s safari, there is something different waiting around nearly every corner.

Looking for an adventure with a little more edge? Meet the African-crested porcupine at Wild Florida.

Wild Florida Adventure Park is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed Sundays. Reservations can be made Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wild Florida is located at 3301 Lake Cypress Road, Kenansville, FL 34739.

For reservations or additional information, call 407-957-3135 or toll-free at 866-532-7167, or email info@wildfl.com.

Airboat adventures can also be booked through Wild Florida’s website.

Come for the porcupine, stay for the safari, Gator Park and airboat adventure — and make some memories on the wild side of Central Florida.