The Southern African hedgehog is a medium sized hedgehog that can be found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. They face the threats of hunting and trapping for bushmeat, traditional medicine, and collection for the pet trade. Predation and injury from domestic and feral dogs is another threat faced. Due to the increased use of insecticides and changes in land management the macroinvertebrate populations hedgehogs rely on for food have been severely reduced. They have been known to fall into swimming pools and drown, and also face the risks from exposure to garden toxins, pesticides, and rodent traps. However, despite all these adversities, these critters are still abundant enough to be listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Their population trend is listed as decreasing though.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Atelerix frontalis
Weight: Up to 28 ounces
Length: Up to 9.84 inches, plus up to a .79 inch tail
Lifespan: Up to 7 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Just like all species of hedgehogs their bodies are covered by sharp spines. Their spines, however, are not venomous, contrary to the belief of some.
2.) The spines are made of keratin protein, just like human hair, with a hollow shaft and they have a muscle devoted to each spine.
3.) Like all hedgehogs, they are nocturnal (active at night).
4.) These critters hibernate during the winter and some studies have shown that heterothermy helps keep the energy balance for this species during winter. Heterothermy is where an animal alternates between self-regulating their body temperature and allowing the environment to affect it.
5.) Even though they are mostly insectivores (feed on insects), feeding primarily on earthworms, crickets, beetles, termites, grasshoppers, moths, centipedes, millipedes, and slugs, they have started to evolve into being omnivorous (feed on plant and animal matter), due to the availability of human refuse (trash).
But wait, there’s more on the Southern African hedgehog!
6.) Frogs, lizards, baby birds, bird eggs, small mice, vegetable matter, fungi, as well as carrion (dead animals) are also feasted upon.
7.) Females undergo up to a 35 day gestation (pregnancy) that yields up to 11 hoglets. However, 4 are more common.
Did you know…?
While typically slow moving, when pursued they can run at speeds of up to 4.3 mph.
8.) A hoglet weighs in at a mere .35 ounce at birth and their infant spines are soft and small to prevent injury to the mother during birth.
9.) Being drought tolerant, these hedgies aren’t reliant on standing water and rather obtain the majority of their water via the foods that they eat.
10.) They can consume up to 30% of their body weight in food in a single night.
But wait, there’s still more on the Southern African hedgehog!
11.) These critters are hosts to the Acanthocephalan intestinal parasite Moniliformis kalahariensis.
12.) Even though they are tolerant of a variety of habitats, they prefer grass and Bushveld (subtropical woodland and savanna found in Southern Africa) that is not too damp and has a good covering of leaves and other debris for hiding.
Did you know…?
In South Africa, it is illegal to keep and rear native hedgehogs without a special permit.
13.) Hiding places are changed up nightly with only a few being semi-permanent; such as the case of females rearing hoglets.
14.) A medicinal purpose of these hedgehog’s fat is that it is believed to cure earaches in children. It doesn’t.
15.) Some people believe in certain southern African cultures that the smoke created from burning their spines and dried meat can keep spirits away. Yet another myth that harms these critters.
Now a Short Southern African Hedgehog Video!
This video, by yours truly, talks about hedgehogs in general.
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
