The Indian long-eared hedgehog (''Hemiechinus collaris'') is a small species of

mammal Mammals () are a group of vertebrate animals constituting the class Mammalia (), characterized by the presence of mammary glands which in females produce milk for feeding (nursing) their young, a neocortex (a region of the brain), fur ...

native to northern

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...

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 is insectivorous and nocturnal.

Description

The Indian long-eared hedgehog is a relatively small

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 introductio ...

(~17 cm, 200–500 grams). It is a nocturnal animal that is often found inhabiting burrows. Similar to most hedgehogs it has spines on its back, embedded into a muscle sheath. This sheath forms a bag-like structure that the animal can hide inside for protection. It can also erect its spines to further protect from predators. The Indian long-eared hedgehog has a well developed set of senses because of its large ears, eyes and whiskers near its snout. These senses, especially smell, help them find food and/or a possible partner.

Diet

The Indian long-eared hedgehog is insectivorous, feeding on small insects. Because of their arid desert habitat they often receive most of the water they need from their food supply.

Distribution

The Indian long-eared hedgehog is found in

(

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...

Rajasthan Rajasthan (; lit. 'Land of Kings') is a state in northern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population. It is on India's northwestern ...

and

Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 195 ...

) and

( North West Frontier Province,

Punjab Punjab (; Punjabi Language, Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also Romanization, romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the northern part of the I ...

and

Sindh Sindh (; ; ur, , ; historically romanized as Sind) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan. Located in the southeastern region of the country, Sindh is the third-largest province of Pakistan by land area and the second-largest province ...

). It experiences extreme heat in the months of May and June and very cold weather in December and January.

Reproduction

They are seasonal breeders. The males are active from March to August while the females are active from April to August. It is notable for a quite complex mating ritual that involves "dancing" around females for several days before mating.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1763709 Indian long-eared hedgehog Mammals of South Asia Mammals of India Mammals of Sindh Indian long-eared hedgehog Indian long-eared hedgehog