Afghan Hedgehog
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| iLong-eared hedgehog | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Hemiechinus auritus megalotis |
The Afghan Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus megalotis) [1] is a subspecies of long-eared hedgehog native to Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is larger and reddish in colour, but otherwise similar in appearance to the long-eared hedgehog.
At 23-28 cm long and 700 to 900 grams of weight, the Afghan hedgehog is roughly the size of the Western European hedgehog. Since Afghan hedgehogs occupy mostly mountainous areas, are abundant at 1000 meters, and often found as high as 2500 meters, thus living at the highest elevation among hedgehog species, lower temperatures probably made it evolve larger. It also hibernates for approximately six months. Another adaptation for mountain terrain that this subspecies possesses is long claws on its legs, which are more suitable for climbing.
The Afghan hedgehog is common in its habitat. It preys on insects, snakes, and scorpions, but also prefers melons, watermelons, and berries. Because of its passion for melons, it is often considered a pest. Afghan hedgehogs are also capable hole-diggers, even in rough terrain.
