This particular type of hedgehog is considered to be very rare. It is a species of hedgehog that is found in dry areas and jungles in south-eastern India.

Not much is currently known about this species of hedgehog.

Brandt’s hedgehogs have a very distinguishable black/brownish face and body along with their big ears. This type of hedgehog prefers a dry grassland, desert or mountainous area to live.

Not unlike many species of hedgehog, the Brandt’s Hedgehog is nocturnal. This species prefers arid desert areas and mountains, most likely for protection purposes. It often uses natural shelters, but will dig dens or nests if necessary.

Photo credit – Grace the Hedgehog

This species has a very diverse diet consuming things such as insects, frogs, toads and bird eggs. They are a relatively fast species, but not as speedy as our Indian Long-Eared friends!

Photo credit – Grace the Hedgehog

 

The Desert Ethiopian hedgehog is the smallest member of the hedgehog family. Its most distinctive feature is its contrasting dark muzzle and white band across its face.

Unlike other species of hedgehog, if the desert hedgehog feels threatened, its muscles go tight and pull the outer layer of skin around its body, making its quills
stick out in all directions. It is said to be very difficult to catch a hedgehog due to this, and due to its long length quills.

Photo credit – Grace the Hedgehog

The Hugh’s hedgehog prefers open areas of dry steppe, but can be found hiding in hedgerows and in forests. Unlike many other hedgehog species, this one is known to look for food even in daytime on rainy days.

Photo credit – Grace the Hedgehog

This is another species of hedgehog with noticeably big ears. These ears help the hedgehogs to sense movements of their prey, which includes insects, small rodents, small reptiles, baby birds and eggs.

The Daurian hedgehog chooses to habit in scrublands and in rock areas which is likely to be for greater protection and concealment from predators. Like most hedgehog species in temperate regions, the Daurian hibernates during the winter.

Photo credit – Grace the Hedgehog

As with many hedgehog species, Indian Long-Eared hogs follow mainly their excellent sense of hearing and sense of smell, as their eyesight is quite poor. They are also very fast runners!

The Indian Long-Eared Hedgehog is often found inhabiting burrows. As a desert-living hedgehog, the Indian Long-Eared tends to get its water supply from its diet which is made up of small insects.

Indian Hedgehogs are mainly found in sandy desert areas but can be found in other environments too. Although this species does not hibernate, it is able to slow down its metabolism when food is scarce.

Photo credit – Grace the Hedgehog

As with many hedgehog species, Long-Eared hogs follow mainly their excellent sense of hearing and sense of smell, as their eyesight is quite poor. They are also very fast runners!

This hedgehog’s large ears are used for heat radiation in the desert. The long-eared hedgehog has a light coloured underbelly along with white hairs on the tips of its ears. Did you know that unlike many of its counter-species, the Long-Eared Hedgehog is less likely to curl up in a ball when approached by a predator and would rather try to outrun it?

Photo credit – Grace the Hedgehog

South African hedgehogs are found in a wide variety of habitats including grasslands, rocky areas, savannah, and suburban gardens. The most recognisable feature of this species of hedgehog is the white band across its forehead.

The Southern African hedgehog is allegedly a slow roamer, but can move surprisingly fast when feeling threatened. South African Hedgehogs face dangers from
humans, and many of them are sadly killed due to motor vehicles.

Photo credit – Grace the Hedgehog

The Somali is a savanna species and, like most hedgehogs, is believed to live in grasslands and other open habitats.

The Somali Hedgehog has chocolate-brown and black banded quills. It has white fur in its underbelly and brown fur on the rear.

Photo credit – Grace the Hedgehog