Mammals · Eulipotyphla · Erinaceidae

Long-eared Hedgehog

Hemiechinus auritus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The long-eared hedgehog, or Egyptian hedgehog, is an erinaceomorph mammal of the family Erinaceidae native to Central Asia and the mountains of the Caucasus. It is smaller than the common hedgehog; it weighs at most 500 grams and is faster. It is less inclined to curl into a ball to defend itself against predators and prefers to flee and to attack them with its spines. Because of its way of life its spines are fewer and shorter. It hibernates from late October to March. It usually lives some 5 or 6 years.

Weight

230 g – 400 g

Size

15 cm – 28 cm

Lifespan

7 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

DesertGrasslandOmnivore Nocturnal Solitary Desert Grassland Mammal

41countries 22parks5same family

Fun facts

It is the fastest hedgehog: instead of curling into a ball when threatened it runs, and only bristles in defence if cornered.
Its huge ears work as radiators on the dry steppe, the same principle used by desert hares and fennec foxes.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Steppe, semi-desert, oases and farmland of central and western Asia and North Africa
Sexual maturity: 7 months
Gestation / incubation: 39 days
Litter / clutch size: 4

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemiechinus_auritus