The long-eared hedgehog is considered to be the smallest species of hedgehog. They hail from Central Asia, the Middle East, and northeastern Africa. These critters face the threats of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of residential and commercial development, habitat division at the hands of roads and railroads—that can also cause vehicle strike—(being hit by vehicles), pesticides that can coat the insects they eat and can also be accidentally sprayed on these hedgies and kill them. Climate change can result in warmer winters and unpredictable weather patterns which interrupt their hibernations. Also, overcollection for the pet trade. However, despite all these threats, they are abundant enough to be listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Their population trend is listed as unknown at this point.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Hemiechinus auritus
Weight: Up to 14 ounces
Length: Up to 10.63 inches, plus up to a 1.97 inch tail
Lifespan: Up to 7.6 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Up to 70% of their diet consists of insects, like grasshoppers and beetles. The remaining 30% consists of millipedes, centipedes, termites, scorpions, snails, slugs, small amphibians, lizards, eggs, fruits, and plants.
2.) They hibernate for up to 40 days each year. However, this length of time is being altered due to climate change.
3.) Like all hedgehogs, they are nocturnal (active at night).
4.) Traveling up to 5.6 miles in a single night to find prey is not uncommon.
5.) Their primary predator is the Eurasian eagle-owl.
But wait, there’s more on the long-eared hedgehog!
6.) They are also a host to the Acanthocephalan intestinal parasite Moniliformis cryptosaudi as well as the Pachysentis ehrenbergi in South Sinai, Egypt.
7.) The preferred habitats are dry river valleys, gullies, forest shelter belts, abandoned irrigation ditches, and shrubland locales.
Did you know…?
Since they live in regions that are predominantly waste lands and deserts they are not known to harm crops.
8.) Breeding season lasts from July – September.
9.) Females undergo up to a 42 day gestation (pregnancy) that yields up to 3 hoglets.
10.) Born with very few spines, their spines double in size within just 5 hours after birth. Their spines are also soft at birth and harden in time. After 2 weeks the hoglets are fully covered with new spines.
Now a Short Long-Eared Hedgehog Video!
This video talks about hedgehogs in general.
Be sure to share & comment below! Also, check out the Critter Science YouTube channel. Videos added regularly!
Want to suggest a critter for me to write about? Let me know here.
Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
