Hemiechinus

Long- eared Hedgehog ( Hemiechinus auritus )

The long-eared hedgehog ( Hemiechinus ) are a genus with two species belonging to the family of hedgehogs ( Erinaceidae ). They live in northern Africa and western and central Asia.

Features

The long-eared hedgehogs are characterized by their large, protruding ears, which otherwise can be found in no other hedgehogs. These serve both the heat regulation and also provide excellent hearing in search for prey. The spines of these animals are banded brown and white, the rest of the coat is usually white in color. The animals reach a body length 12-27 centimeters, the tail is short one to five inches long.

Way of life

Long-eared hedgehogs live in dry habitats such as deserts or steppes. Like all hedgehog they are nocturnal loner. During the day, they retreat into self-dug, up to half a meter long burrows, sometimes they also use the burrows of other animals. Though their spines protect the animals against predators, they can also run fast and put in their nightly forays back up to nine kilometers. In some regions they hold up to a three month long hibernation.

Food

Long-eared hedgehogs feed primarily on insects, such as grasshoppers and beetles. In addition, they also take small vertebrates (including lizards ) and vegetable matter to him. But due to their dry habitat they can survive long periods without food and drink.

Reproduction

Little is known about the propagation of the long-eared hedgehog. Once a year, the female gives birth after five to six weeks of gestation period of one to four pups. These are initially blind and have soft spines. After two weeks spiny coat is fully developed, weaning should take place after a few weeks.

The types

• The Actual Long- eared Hedgehog ( Hemiechinus auritus ) comes from Libya and Egypt through Asia Minor and Arabia to Central Asia and Mongolia ( Gobi desert ) before.
• The Indian Long- eared Hedgehog (H. collaris ) inhabited the Indus Valley and adjacent areas in Pakistan and northern India.

Long-eared hedgehogs and humans

Long-eared hedgehogs are sometimes kept as pets. In the wild, both species are considered common and not threatened.