African Hedgehog · Hedgehogs are illegal for ownership in the state of California because of their...
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Scientific Name Erinaceus (Atelerix) albiventris Other Names Four-toed hedgehog Range Tropical Africa Habitat Savanna and semi-arid woodlands Average Size Length: 4 – 6 in. Weight: ¾ - 1 lb. Description Small, mole-like animal with rigid, spiny, white and black banded hairs covering its body. Underside is white with soft hair. Pointed face has a long nose, large ears an small eyes. Lifespan In the wild: 5 years In captivity: Up to 10 years Diet In the wild: Insects and vegetation In captivity: Vegetable, prepared insectivore chow and insects Gestation 30 – 39 days Sexual Maturity 1 - 2 years Litter Size 2 – 7 young Predators Large carnivores and large birds Population Status Not Threatened Hedgehog Behavior African hedgehogs are solitary and nocturnal. They are generally intolerant of other ground dwellers, but maintain no distinct territories. They spend their days resting in rock crevices, burrows or under leaf piles. Towards evening they begin to forage for food, traveling on average 200 to 300 yards from their home. Hedgehogs have an excellent sense of smell which helps them find their invertebrate prey. During periods of extreme weather or drought, African hedgehogs can go into a deep sleep called torpor. This is not a true hibernation, but their heart rate and temperature does decrease significantly at this time. The spines on a hedgehog are actually modified hairs. Connected to the base of each spine is a small muscle which is used to pull the spine erect. When the muscles are relaxed, the spines are flat along the hedgehogs’ back. In order to better protect themselves, they are able to roll into a ball by pulling the loose skin tightly over the body and tightening the stomach muscles. African hedgehogs have a wide variety of vocalizations, from snorts and wheezes to coughs and grunts. Because they have such an excellent sense of smell, most of their communication is through odors. Although they have no scent glands, they do leave behind a scent that other hogs can detect. Hedgehogs are known for smearing their body with a food-saliva mixture. This is called self-anointing and is thought to be used for attracting mates, reducing skin parasites and increasing predator defense. Reproduction and Breeding In temperate climates, breeding occurs once or twice a year, usually between May and September. In more tropical habitats, there is no breeding season for hedgehogs. Because this species is solitary with no specific territories, mating occurs whenever hedgehogs meet. Courtship is relatively short. If the female is not receptive, she will raise her spines for the male. Mating may last several hours, but no pair bond is formed and males show no paternal behavior. The young hedgehogs are born with their eyes and ears closed, with both opening in a month’s time. The hard hairs are present at birth, but lie just below the skin surrounded by fluid. This prevents them from piercing the birth canal of the mother. The fluid evaporates after birth, allowing the skin to contract and push the spines through the skin. Within 36 hours, more spines sprout. The young are weaned in six weeks and are fully grown by two moths of age. At this time, they leave their mother to begin their solitary lives. African Hedgehog Erinaceus (Atelerix) albiventris Mammal The Sacramento Zoological Society 2 2 8 5 9 A C , o t n e m a r c a S , . r D k r a P d n a L t s e W 0 3 9 3 saczoo.org T: 916-808-5888 F: 916-264-7385 E: [email protected]
Transcript of African Hedgehog · Hedgehogs are illegal for ownership in the state of California because of their...
Scientifi c NameErinaceus (Atelerix) albiventris
Other NamesFour-toed hedgehog
RangeTropical Africa
HabitatSavanna and semi-arid woodlands
Average SizeLength: 4 – 6 in.Weight: ¾ - 1 lb.
DescriptionSmall, mole-like animal with rigid, spiny, white and black banded hairs covering its body. Underside is white with soft hair. Pointed face has a long nose, large ears an small eyes.
LifespanIn the wild: 5 yearsIn captivity: Up to 10 years
DietIn the wild: Insects and vegetationIn captivity: Vegetable, prepared insectivore chow and insects
Gestation30 – 39 days
Sexual Maturity1 - 2 years
Litter Size2 – 7 young
PredatorsLarge carnivores and large birds
Population StatusNot Threatened
Hedgehog BehaviorAfrican hedgehogs are solitary and nocturnal. They are generally intolerant of other ground dwellers, but maintain no distinct territories. They spend their days resting in rock crevices, burrows or under leaf piles. Towards evening they begin to forage for food, traveling on average 200 to 300 yards from their home. Hedgehogs have an excellent sense of smell which helps them fi nd their invertebrate prey. During periods of extreme weather or drought, African hedgehogs can go into a deep sleep called torpor. This is not a true hibernation, but their heart rate and temperature does decrease signifi cantly at this time. The spines on a hedgehog are actually modifi ed hairs. Connected to the base of each spine is a small muscle which is used to pull the spine erect. When the muscles are relaxed, the spines are fl at along the hedgehogs’ back. In order to better protect themselves, they are able to roll into a ball by pulling the loose skin tightly over the body and tightening the stomach muscles. African hedgehogs have a wide variety of vocalizations, from snorts and wheezes to coughs and grunts. Because they have such an excellent sense of smell, most of their communication is through odors. Although they have no scent glands, they do leave behind a scent that other hogs can detect.
Hedgehogs are known for smearing their body with a food-saliva mixture. This is called self-anointing and is thought to be used for attracting mates, reducing skin parasites and increasing predator defense.
Reproduction and BreedingIn temperate climates, breeding occurs once or twice a year, usually between May and September. In more tropical habitats, there is no breeding season for hedgehogs. Because this species is solitary with no specifi c territories, mating occurs whenever hedgehogs meet. Courtship is relatively short. If the female is not receptive, she will raise her spines for the male. Mating may last several hours, but no pair bond is formed and males show no paternal behavior. The young hedgehogs are born with their eyes and ears closed, with both opening in a month’s time. The hard hairs are present at birth, but lie just below the skin surrounded by fl uid. This prevents them from piercing the birth canal of the mother. The fl uid evaporates after birth, allowing the skin to contract and push the spines through the skin. Within 36 hours, more spines sprout. The young are weaned in six weeks and are fully grown by two moths of age. At this time, they leave their mother to begin their solitary lives.
African HedgehogErinaceus (Atelerix) albiventris
Mamm
al
The Sacramento Zoological Society22859 AC ,otnemarcaS ,.rD kraP dnaL tseW 0393
saczoo.orgT: 916-808-5888 F: 916-264-7385 E: [email protected]
African Hedgehog
ConservationOf the 12 hedgehog species (in Africa, Asia and Europe), only one is considered threatened. African hedgehog populations are stable and appear to be thriving in some parts of their range. Because they are good at controlling garden pests, hedgehogs aremostly left alone by humans. Loss of habitat and capture for use in the pet trade, however, are threats to their future. Hedgehogs are illegal for ownership in the state of California because of their threat to agricultural industries if they were released into the wild.
Amazing Facts
These insectivores move at a top speed of 6.5 feet per second!
An average adult hedgehog has 5,000 spines!
Hedgehogs are immune to the toxins in toads. They chew them up then lather their hairs with the mixture for added protection!
The Sacramento Zoological Society22859 AC ,otnemarcaS ,.rD kraP dnaL tseW 0393
saczoo.orgT: 916-808-5888 F: 916-264-7385 E: [email protected]
