| Indian long-eared hedgehog | |
|---|---|
| |
| Indian long-eared hedgehog illustration | |
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Erinaceidae |
| Genus: | Hemiechinus |
| Species: | H. collaris
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hemiechinus collaris (
Gray, 1830)
| |
| |
| Indian long-eared hedgehog range | |
The Indian long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus collaris) is a small species of mammal native to northern India and Pakistan. It is insectivorous and nocturnal. [2] [3]
Description
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is a relatively small hedgehog (~17 cm, 200–500 grams). It is a nocturnal animal that is often found inhabiting burrows. [3] Similar to most hedgehogs it has spines on its back, embedded into a muscle sheath. This sheath forms a bag-like structure that the animal can hide inside for protection. It can also erect its spines to further protect from predators. The Indian long-eared hedgehog has a well developed set of senses because of its large ears, eyes and whiskers near its snout. [4] These senses, especially smell, help them find food and/or a possible partner. [5]
Diet
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is insectivorous, feeding on small insects. Because of their arid desert habitat they often receive most of the water they need from their food supply. [6]
Distribution
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is found in India ( Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) and Pakistan ( North West Frontier Province, Punjab and Sindh). It experiences extreme heat in the months of May and June and very cold weather in December and January. [6]
Reproduction
They are seasonal breeders. The males are active from March to August [3] while the females are active from April to August. [6] It is notable for a quite complex mating ritual that involves "dancing" around females for several days before mating.
References
- ^ Molur, S. (2008). Hemiechinus collaris. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2.
- ^ Hutterer, R. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 215. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ a b c Goyal, R. P. & Mathur, R. S. (1974). "Anatomic, Histologic and Certain Enzymatic Studies on the Male Genital Organs of Hemiechinus auritus collaris Gray, the Indian Long Eared Hedgehog". Acta Zoologica. 55: 47–58. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1974.tb00178.x.
- ^ Catania, K. (2005). "Evolution of sensory specialization in insectivores". The Anatomical Record Part A: Discoveries in Molecular, Cellular, and Evolutionary Biology. 287A (1): 1038–50. doi: 10.1002/ar.a.20265. PMID 16215983.
- ^ Poddar-Sarkar, M.; Raha, P.; Bhar, R.; Chakraborty, A. & Brahmachary, R. (2011). "Ultrastructure and lipid chemistry of specialized epidermal structure of Indian porcupines and hedgehog". Acta Zoologica. 92 (2): 134. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-6395.2010.00452.x.
- ^ a b c Sharma, A. & Mathur, R. S. (1974). "Histomorphological Changes in the Reproductive Tract of Female Hemiechinus auritus collaris, Gray in Relation to the Estrous Cycle". Acta Zoologica. 55 (4): 235. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1974.tb00199.x.
| Indian long-eared hedgehog | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Indian long-eared hedgehog illustration | |
|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Erinaceidae |
| Genus: | Hemiechinus |
| Species: | H. collaris
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hemiechinus collaris (
Gray, 1830)
| |
|
| |
| Indian long-eared hedgehog range | |
The Indian long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus collaris) is a small species of mammal native to northern India and Pakistan. It is insectivorous and nocturnal. [2] [3]
Description
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is a relatively small hedgehog (~17 cm, 200–500 grams). It is a nocturnal animal that is often found inhabiting burrows. [3] Similar to most hedgehogs it has spines on its back, embedded into a muscle sheath. This sheath forms a bag-like structure that the animal can hide inside for protection. It can also erect its spines to further protect from predators. The Indian long-eared hedgehog has a well developed set of senses because of its large ears, eyes and whiskers near its snout. [4] These senses, especially smell, help them find food and/or a possible partner. [5]
Diet
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is insectivorous, feeding on small insects. Because of their arid desert habitat they often receive most of the water they need from their food supply. [6]
Distribution
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is found in India ( Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) and Pakistan ( North West Frontier Province, Punjab and Sindh). It experiences extreme heat in the months of May and June and very cold weather in December and January. [6]
Reproduction
They are seasonal breeders. The males are active from March to August [3] while the females are active from April to August. [6] It is notable for a quite complex mating ritual that involves "dancing" around females for several days before mating.
References
- ^ Molur, S. (2008). Hemiechinus collaris. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2.
- ^ Hutterer, R. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 215. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ a b c Goyal, R. P. & Mathur, R. S. (1974). "Anatomic, Histologic and Certain Enzymatic Studies on the Male Genital Organs of Hemiechinus auritus collaris Gray, the Indian Long Eared Hedgehog". Acta Zoologica. 55: 47–58. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1974.tb00178.x.
- ^ Catania, K. (2005). "Evolution of sensory specialization in insectivores". The Anatomical Record Part A: Discoveries in Molecular, Cellular, and Evolutionary Biology. 287A (1): 1038–50. doi: 10.1002/ar.a.20265. PMID 16215983.
- ^ Poddar-Sarkar, M.; Raha, P.; Bhar, R.; Chakraborty, A. & Brahmachary, R. (2011). "Ultrastructure and lipid chemistry of specialized epidermal structure of Indian porcupines and hedgehog". Acta Zoologica. 92 (2): 134. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-6395.2010.00452.x.
- ^ a b c Sharma, A. & Mathur, R. S. (1974). "Histomorphological Changes in the Reproductive Tract of Female Hemiechinus auritus collaris, Gray in Relation to the Estrous Cycle". Acta Zoologica. 55 (4): 235. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1974.tb00199.x.