Algerian hedgehog
| Algerian hedgehog | ||||||||||||
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Algerian hedgehog ( Atelerix algirus ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Atelerix algirus | ||||||||||||
| ( Lereboullet , 1842) |
The Algerian or North African hedgehog ( Atelerix algirus ) occurs in northern Africa ( Morocco to Libya ). The species was introduced by humans on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, in southern France, on Malta , Mallorca , Ibiza , Formentera and on the Canary Islands .
features
The Algerian hedgehog is a relatively large hedgehog, the head-torso length is 20 to 27 cm. It has a short, 1.5 to 3 cm long tail that is lightly haired and mostly invisible. The rear foot length is between 3 and 4 cm. Most of the spines are dark and smooth, with some white spines in between. The peritoneum is whitish and sometimes darkly spotted, the head is also whitish. Animals from Morocco are lighter than those from Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. The ears are small, round, and shorter than the spines surrounding them. The ear length is about 77% of the hind foot length. The legs are short and whitish or other light color. The first toe can be slightly shorter than the others. Both front feet and back feet have five toes. The third premolar has three tooth roots .
Habitat and way of life
The Algerian hedgehog occurs between the Mediterranean coast and the Sahara, in Mediterranean scrubland ( maquis ), grasslands, palm groves, other cultivated land and in gardens. It lives in the Middle Atlas of Morocco up to an altitude of 2000 meters. It is nocturnal and is likely to hibernate in colder regions. Algerian hedgehogs mainly feed on insects, but they also eat worms, snails, fruits, eggs, millipedes and truffle-like mushrooms. The breeding season is in spring and summer. In Libya the young are born from April to June, a second litter can follow in July. The gestation period is 30 to 48 days, three to seven cubs are born per litter and stay with the mother for several months. Indigestible remains of the Algerian hedgehog are found in owl vaults . The flea Echidnophaga gallinacea is one of its ectoparasites , and various roundworms are known endoparasites .
Danger
The IUCN lists the Algerian hedgehog as Least Concern.
literature
- DCD Happold: Atelerix algirus Algerian Hedgehog, pages 33 to 34 in Meredith Happold and David Happold (eds.): Mammals of Africa Volume IV. Hedgehogs, Shrews and Bats. Bloomsbury, London, 2013, ISBN 978-1-4081-2254-9
Web links
- Atelerix algirus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008. Posted by: Amori, G., Hutterer, R., Krystufek, B., Yigit, N., Mitsain, G. & Palomo, LJ, 2008. Accessed on 25th June 2015.