The Indian hedgehog (''Paraechinus micropus'') is a species of

hedgehog A hedgehog is a spiny mammal of the subfamily Erinaceinae, in the eulipotyphlan family Erinaceidae. There are seventeen species of hedgehog in five genera found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in New Zealand by introducti ...

native to

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

and

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

. It mainly lives in sandy desert areas but can be found in other environments.

Description

The Indian hedgehog can be compared to the

long-eared hedgehog The long-eared hedgehog (''Hemiechinus auritus'') is a species of hedgehog native to Central Asian countries and some countries of the Middle East. The long-eared hedgehog lives in burrows that it either makes or finds and is distinguished by its ...

(''Hemiechinus auritus'') which has a similar lifestyle and appearance. It is known for its masked face, dark with a white top, somewhat similar to a

raccoon The raccoon ( or , ''Procyon lotor''), sometimes called the common raccoon to distinguish it from other species, is a mammal native to North America. It is the largest of the procyonid family, having a body length of , and a body weight of ...

. It is relatively small with the adult male weighing about 435 grams and the adult female about 312. They are quite fast, although not as fast as the

. Its color is predominantly brown with a few lighter shades of brown. The tail is only about 2-4 centimeters long. It has a stocky body with a short head, a long snout, small, dark eyes, and relatively large ears. Its legs are a gray-brown color with 5 digits on each and small but strong claws. Hedgehogs are protected species under Schedule IV of Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Indian hedgehogs also have a lot of acid phosphatase in their medulla oblongata and pons which can affect the way their blood capillaries work in the brain. Their brains also have a lot of enzyme activity going on because of the presence of acetylcholinesterase

Behavior

Being a part of the family

Erinaceidae Erinaceidae is a family in the order Eulipotyphla, consisting of the hedgehogs and moonrats. Until recently, it was assigned to the order Erinaceomorpha, which has been subsumed with the paraphyletic Soricomorpha into Eulipotyphla. Eulipotyphla ...

, the Indian hedgehog has a very diverse diet consuming insects, frogs, toads, bird eggs, snakes, and scorpions. Although it doesn't

hibernate Hibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression undergone by some animal species. Hibernation is a seasonal heterothermy characterized by low body-temperature, slow breathing and heart-rate, and low metabolic rate. It most ...

, it is still capable of slowing down its metabolism when food is scarce. When danger presents itself, the Indian hedgehog rolls up into a ball. The upper side of the body has spines to protect from predators. The Indian hedgehog is capable of digging burrows about 45 cm long. They use these to sleep in and to stay hidden from danger. Any open burrow is fair game and they inhabit any that are vacant. Like all hedgehogs, these animals go through a process called self-anointing. They spread their own

saliva Saliva (commonly referred to as spit) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth. In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which DNA can be ...

on their spines and fur after tasting or smelling something that is unfamiliar to them. This behavior occurs in both sexes, at all ages, and at any time of the year.

Reproduction

Male and female Indian hedgehogs meet only to breed and reproduce. The female gives birth to up to three cubs and raises them on her own without the help of the male.

Predators

The known predators of Indian hedgehogs include foxes, Indian grey mongooses (''

Herpestes edwardsi The Indian grey mongoose (''Urva edwardsii'') is a mongoose species native to the Indian subcontinent and West Asia. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The grey mongoose inhabits open forests, scrublands and cultivated field ...

''), and rock-horned owls (''Bubo bubo turcomanus''). Predators have to be quick and resourceful to snatch the hedgehog before it curls up into its prickly ball.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1770532

Indian hedgehog The Indian hedgehog (''Paraechinus micropus'') is a species of hedgehog native to India and Pakistan. It mainly lives in sandy desert areas but can be found in other environments. Description The Indian hedgehog can be compared to the long-eare ...

Fauna of Gujarat Mammals of Pakistan Mammals of India

Description

Behavior

Reproduction

Predators

See also

References