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Close-up of a long-eared desert hedgehog

Long-eared hedgehog

Long-eared hedgehogs are much faster than their longer spined West European cousins. They are also much more feisty. Their long ears give them an acute sense of hearing which helps them to detect both predators and prey.

Scientific name: Hemiechinus auritus

Rank: Species

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Distribution

Map showing the distribution of the Long-eared hedgehog taxa

Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.

The Long-eared hedgehog can be found in a number of locations including: Africa, Asia, China, Indian subcontinent, Russia. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.

Habitats

The following habitats are found across the Long-eared hedgehog distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.

Behaviours

Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.

Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web

Conservation Status

Least Concern

  1. EX - Extinct
  2. EW
  3. CR - Threatened
  4. EN - Threatened
  5. VU - Threatened
  6. NT
  7. LC - Least concern

Population trend: Unknown

Year assessed: 2008

Classified by: IUCN 3.1

About

The long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) is a species of hedgehog native to Central Asian countries and some countries of the Middle East. The long-eared hedgehog lives in burrows that it either makes or finds and is distinguished by its long ears. It is considered one of the smallest middle eastern hedgehogs. This Hedgehog is insectivorous but may also feed on small vertebrates and plants. In captivity they may live as long as 7.6 years.

Since the long-eared hedgehog is naturally parasite prone and can carry diseases as bad as plague, it is highly recommended that, if kept as pet, it should be purchased from a respected dealer. Wild hedgehogs have been found to carry Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick, which can transmit Boutonneuse fever.

Read more at Wikipedia

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Classification

  1. Life
  2. Animals
  3. Vertebrates
  4. Mammals
  5. Erinaceomorpha
  6. Hedgehogs and moonrats
  7. Hemiechinus
  8. Long-eared hedgehog

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