Short-tailed rat hedgehog
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Short-tailed rat hedgehog ( Hylomys suillus ) |
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| Hylomys suillus | ||||||||||||
| S. Müller , 1840 |
The short-tailed rat hedgehog ( Hylomys suillus ) is a species of the small rat hedgehog within the hedgehog (Erinaceidae) that is native to East and Southeast Asia. The animals live mainly in moist mountain forests and feed on insects and other invertebrates . The species is not endangered, instead it is assumed that it is very adaptable to changes in its habitat.
features
The short-tailed rat hedgehog reaches a head-trunk length of 12 to 15 centimeters and a tail length of about 1.9 centimeters. The hind feet are 23 to 25 millimeters long. The body is like a rat, but a bit more compact and the snout is very pointed. The fur is usually dark and reddish black in color, with the belly side being significantly lighter. There may be fine black lines on the back. Compared to the closely related Hainan rat hedgehog , an endemic to the island of Hainan , the species, like all small rat hedgehogs, has a very short tail. Even within the genus Hylomys , the tail, at 10 to 15% of the body length, is shorter than that of the other species. The ears are also comparatively short with around 10% of the body length. As with all small rat hedgehogs, the snout is flexible and elongated and serves to search for food in the ground. Outwardly, the species resembles a small rodent .
| 3 | · | 1 | · | 4th | · | 3 | = 44 |
| 3 | · | 1 | · | 4th | · | 3 |
The teeth consist of three incisors , one corner , four pre-grinding and three molars per half of the jaw, a total of 44 teeth.
distribution
The short-tailed rat hedgehog is the most widespread species of the small rat hedgehog, its range includes large parts of Southeast Asia. It extends from the southeast of Yunnan Province in the People's Republic of China through the east and south of Myanmar , Laos , Vietnam , northern Cambodia and most of Thailand to the mainland part of Malaysia . It also includes parts of the islands of Tioman , Sumatra , Java and Borneo .
The species is common in the mountains and has been found on the Asian mainland at heights of 90 to over 1700 meters ( Mount Kinabalu , Malaysia). The species has been documented on Sumatra at an altitude of more than 3000 meters.
Way of life
Little is known about the way of life of the short-tailed rat hedgehog. Its habitat are moist mountain and mountain forests with dense undergrowth and soil cover in tropical and subtropical regions. In Laos, however, it was also detected in degraded bushes, so that it is assumed that it can adapt relatively well to anthropogenically modified habitats. The animals usually stay on the ground, but can also climb into bushes in search of fruits and berries, for example figs or melastoma species. The main food, however, consists primarily of insects, snails and worms, which are captured on the ground. The animals build paths in the undergrowth as well as buildings made of plant material in caves or under stones.
The breeding season and number of juveniles will likely vary depending on the region and altitude. Two to six young animals per litter were reported. The lifespan is usually a maximum of two years.
Systematics
Hylomys suillus is assigned as an independent species to the small rat hedgehogs ( Hylomys ) within the hedgehogs (Erinaceidae). A total of seven subspecies are recognized, in addition to the nominate form H. s. suillus these are H. s. maxi , H. s. dorsalis , H. s. siamensis , H. s. peguensis , H. s. microtinus and H. s. tionis . However, on the basis of molecular biological studies, H. s. siamensis , H. s. maxi and H. s. dorsalis also represent their own species.
Hazard and protection
The species is listed as not endangered ( least concern ) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) due to its very large distribution area . It is a widespread species that is common in parts of its area; no serious threats to the population are known.
literature
- Short-Tailed Gymnure. In: Andrew T. Smith , Yan Xie (Eds.): A Guide to the Mammals of China. Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ et al. 2008, ISBN 978-0-691-09984-2 , p. 296.
Web links
- Hylomys suillus inthe IUCN 2012 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: F. Chiozza, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
supporting documents
- ↑ a b c d e f g Short-Tailed Gymnure. In: Andrew T. Smith , Yan Xie (Eds.): A Guide to the Mammals of China. Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ et al. 2008, ISBN 978-0-691-09984-2 , p. 296.
- ↑ a b c d e f g Hylomys suillus in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012.2. Posted by: F. Chiozza, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ↑ a b Hylomys suillus ( Memento of the original from November 9, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . In: 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 .
