Mammals of the WorldCommon Long-eared Hedgehog
Hemiechinus auritus
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Erinaceidae
- Genus
- Hemiechinus
- IUCN status
- LC
- Distribution
- Libya|Egypt|Israel|Palestine|Lebanon|Syria|Turkey|Iraq|Iran|Georgia|Armenia|Azerbaijan|Russia|Ukraine|Turkmenistan|Uzbekistan|Kazakhstan|Kyrgyzstan|Tajikistan|Afghanistan|Pakistan|China|Mongolia
- Realm
- Palearctic
Other names: Afghan Hedgehog|Long-eared Steppe Hedgehog
About this species
- Size
- 120–270mm
- Diet
- Invertebrates, small vertebrates, and plant matter
- Habitat
- Arid desert and steppe
- Range
- Middle East and Central Asia, including Mongolia
The long-eared hedgehog is a small hedgehog distinguished by ears conspicuously longer than the surrounding spines. Head-and-body length is about 120–270mm, with a notably short, proportionately small 10–50mm tail. The long ears, relatively short spines, and narrow face distinguish it from heavier, shorter-eared hedgehogs. When threatened it can roll into a defensive ball, but it often relies on speed and agility. (Animal Diversity Web)
It inhabits arid desert and steppe from the Middle East through Central Asia, including Mongolia. Animals dig their own burrows or occupy existing ones, commonly beneath shrubs, and may rest under rocks or in hollows by day. Invertebrates form much of the diet, supplemented by small vertebrates and plant material. The opened sources did not identify a dependable Mongolian viewing locality. (Animal Diversity Web; Wikipedia, general species account)
Description: Wildlife of Mongolia guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)