Indian long-eared hedgehog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian long-eared hedgehog |
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| Indian long-eared hedgehog illustration | |
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Hemiechinus
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| Species: |
collaris
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| Indian long-eared hedgehog range | |
The Indian long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus collaris) is a small mammal. It lives in northern India and Pakistan. This hedgehog mainly eats insects and is active at night.
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About the Indian Long-Eared Hedgehog
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is a small animal. It usually grows to about 17 centimeters long. It weighs between 200 and 500 grams. These hedgehogs are active at night, which means they are nocturnal. They often live in burrows underground.
Like most hedgehogs, it has sharp spines on its back. These spines are part of a special muscle layer. This layer can pull tight, making a bag-like shape. The hedgehog can hide inside this "bag" for protection. It can also stand its spines up to scare away animals that might try to hurt it.
The Indian long-eared hedgehog has excellent senses. Its large ears, big eyes, and whiskers help it a lot. These senses, especially its sense of smell, help it find food. They also help it find other hedgehogs to mate with.
What Indian Long-Eared Hedgehogs Eat
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is an insectivorous animal. This means it eats mostly small insects. They live in dry, desert areas. Because of this, they get most of the water they need from the food they eat.
Where Indian Long-Eared Hedgehogs Live
You can find the Indian long-eared hedgehog in parts of India. These areas include Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. They also live in Pakistan. There, they are found in North West Frontier Province, Punjab, and Sindh.
These hedgehogs experience very hot weather in May and June. They also face very cold temperatures in December and January.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Indian long-eared hedgehogs breed during certain times of the year. The males are ready to mate from March to August. The females are ready from April to August.
They have an interesting way of finding a partner. The male hedgehog performs a special "dance" around the female. This can go on for several days before they mate.
