Brandt’s Hedgehog

Brandt’s Hedgehog Latest News

A new species of hedgehog, Brandt’s hedgehog, not so far found in India, has been recently discovered in Jammu and Kashmir, DNA analysis and morphological studies reveal.

About Brandt’s Hedgehog

• It is a species of desert hedgehog.
• Scientific Name: Paraechinus hypomelas

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Brandt’s Hedgehog Distribution

It is native to parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, with a range that includes Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Turkmenistan.

Brandt’s Hedgehog Habitat  

• It inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, including rocky deserts, scrublands, and dry mountain slopes. 
• The species is adapted to environments with sparse vegetation, loose or stony soils, and extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night. 
• It is often associated with areas that provide natural shelter, such as rock crevices, abandoned burrows, or dense shrubs. 
• It is still capable of digging dens when absolutely needed. It hibernates during colder weather.

Brandt’s Hedgehog Features

• It is about 9-12 inches long and weighs around 500-900 grams. 
• It has a black brownish face with a few white hairs interspersed on the forehead. 
• They have large ears with a narrow base. 
• Both the dorsal and ventral surfaces as well as the limbs are usually blackish brown. 
• It has five short-nailed toes on each of its two front paws. 
• Its back paws have four toes each with nails that constantly grow long. 
• It is a faster runner due to lighter needle protection. 
• It is predominantly nocturnal.

Brandt’s Hedgehog Conservation Status

It is classified as ‘Least concern‘ under the IUCN Red List.

Source: HT