Little rat hedgehog
| Little rat hedgehog | ||||||||||||
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Hylomys suillus |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Hylomys | ||||||||||||
| Müller , 1839 |
The small rat hedgehog ( Hylomys ) are a genus of hedgehogs from the subfamily of the rat hedgehog (Galericinae).
features
Small rat hedgehogs are reminiscent of shrews or mice , but they are not related to them. Their fur is soft and dense, it is colored reddish brown on the upper side, the underside is yellowish gray. The long, flexible snout is characteristic. These animals reach a head body length of 9 to 15 centimeters, the tail is a stub 1 to 3 centimeters in length. Their weight is 20 to 80 grams, making them one of the smallest representatives of the hedgehogs .
distribution and habitat
Small rat hedgehogs are native to Southeast Asia, their range extends from Myanmar and Yunnan to the Malay Peninsula , Sumatra , Borneo and Java . Their habitat are moist forests in hilly or mountainous regions.
Way of life
Small rat hedgehogs are primarily ground dwellers and only sometimes climb bushes. They can be active during the day as well as at night, in order to get ahead faster, they create trails in the thick undergrowth. When looking for food, they rummage through the forest floor with their long, flexible snout, looking for insects and worms . Sometimes they also consume fruit. Mating can take place all year round, after a gestation period of around 30 to 35 days, usually two or three young are born.
Systematics and types
The genus of the small rat hedgehog includes three species:
- the short-tailed rat hedgehog ( Hylomys suillus ) is the best known and most widespread species.
- the pygmy hedgehog ( Hylomys parvus ) is restricted to a small area in Sumatra and is critically endangered according to the IUCN .
- the long-eared rat hedgehog ( Hylomys megalotis ) was only scientifically described in 2003 and lives in Laos .
Sometimes the will Hainan Gymnure ( Neohylomys hainanensis ) and the shrew hedgehog ( Neotetracus sinensis ) performed in this genre, but usually counted as a separate genus.
Zoo situation
Currently (December 2016) there are no known zoos in the EAZA area that keep small rat hedgehogs. The only former holder is Moscow.
supporting documents
- ↑ www.Zootierliste.de. In: www.zootierliste.de. Retrieved December 8, 2016 .
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
- Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .
