Long-eared hedgehog
| Long-eared hedgehog | ||||||||||||
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Long-eared hedgehog ( Hemiechinus auritus ) |
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| Hemicinus | ||||||||||||
| Fitzinger , 1866 |
The hemiechinus ( Hemiechinus ) are a genus with two species from the family of hedgehog (Erinaceidae). They live in northern Africa and in western and central Asia .
features
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The long-eared hedgehogs are characterized by their large, protruding ears that are not found in any other hedgehog. On the one hand, these serve to regulate heat and also ensure excellent hearing when searching for prey. The spines of these animals are banded brown and white, the rest of the fur is mostly white. The animals reach a head body length of 12 to 27 centimeters, the short tail is one to five centimeters long.
Way of life
Long-eared hedgehogs inhabit dry habitats such as deserts or steppes. Like all hedgehogs , they are nocturnal loners. During the day they retreat to burrows that are up to half a meter long that they have dug themselves, and sometimes they also use the burrows of other animals. Although their spines protect the animals from predators, they can also run quickly and cover up to nine kilometers on their nightly forays. In some regions they hibernate for up to three months .
food
Long-eared hedgehogs feed primarily on insects such as grasshoppers and beetles . They also eat small vertebrates (including lizards ) and plant material. Due to their dry habitat, however, they can do without food and drink for a long time.
Reproduction
Little is known about the reproduction of the long-eared hedgehog. Once a year, the female gives birth to one to four young animals after a gestation period of five to six weeks. These are initially blind and have soft spines. Her spines are fully developed after two weeks, and weaning should take place after a few weeks.
The species
- The real long-eared hedgehog ( Hemiechinus auritus ) occurs from Libya and Egypt via Asia Minor and Arabia to Central Asia and Mongolia ( Gobi Desert ).
- The Indian long-eared hedgehog ( H. collaris ) lives in the Indus valley and adjacent areas in Pakistan and northern India .
Long-eared hedgehogs and humans
Long-eared hedgehogs are sometimes kept as pets . In the wild, both species are considered common and not threatened.
Animal protection associations reject the keeping of hedgehogs in captivity and justify this with high demands on care and nutrition as well as a strong urge to move on the part of the animals, which is considerably restricted when kept in cages or terrariums.
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 .
Web links
- Illustrations (arabic)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Online editorial office Pro Igel Association for Integrated Nature Conservation Germany eV: Pro Igel Association for Integrated Nature Conservation Germany eV: Exotic hedgehogs as pets. In: www.pro-igel.de. Retrieved December 1, 2016 .