Desert Hedgehog
(Paraechinus
Aethiopicus)
The desert hedgehog is a small hedgehog weighing from around 0.3 to 0.5 kg. They are around 14-23 cm.The desert hedgehog has small short ears which are rounded and their legs are small and a dark brown colour. When the hedgehog is feeling threatened, they curl themselves into a small ball to defend themselves. This makes it very hard for animals to eat the hedgehog due to its spikes.They mostly feed on small insects, baby snakes, scorpions, the eggs of birds and the Sahara's plant life. The Paraechinus Aethiopicus becomes less active during the hotter months of the year as there is a limited supply of food for them. For the desert hedgehog, their breeding month starts in march, after their hibernation has finished. They are mammals so they give birth to up to six young hedgehogs once a year. The young hedgehogs gain the ability to see at around 21 days. The paraechinus aethiopicus is not close to extinction, as their large population is widely distributed.
Did You Know?
The Desert Hedgehog spends the day by staying in their small burrow, hiding away from the desert's blazing sun. They come out of their burrow's at night time to hunt for their food.The desert hedgehog can go long periods without drinking to water as they have adapted well to the warm desert climate!