They are very adaptable and can be found in forests, on plantations, in rocky or mountainous areas as well as in deserts. These porcupines find shelter in caves, rock crevices, holes or burrows that they might have dug. They may also find shelter in abandoned aardvark holes, which they may change to suit their own needs. The crested porcupines does not climb or jump. Some North African crested porcupines may share a burrow as a family, but females may make or use a separate den for reproduction.
Females usually look for food on their own.
Some dens may be very long and will often be scattered with bones that they may have gnawed on. When threatened or aggressive, crested porcupines stamp their feet, growl and grunt. The quills will often cause a deep infected wound that may prove fatal. North African crested porcupine is an herbivores. It eats bark, roots, fruits, berries and insects.