Long-eared Desert Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus)
Number 0168
This prickly—but not too prickly, all things considered—little fellow is a member of one of two species of long-eared desert hedgehogs. This one lives in the steppes of Ukraine and Mongolia and Libya, Pakistan, and Cyprus, and the similar terrain between those areas. In some places, these hedgehogs hang out in people’s gardens and backyards—another interesting example of everyday urban wildlife that seems exotic if you’re from somewhere else.
Categorized as insectivores, long-eared desert hedgehogs eat not only insects, but other invertebrates, some small vertebrates, eggs, fruit, seeds, and carrion. I can just see a hedgehog smorgasbord laid out for their enjoyment, can’t you?
Consecutive days of mammals: 13
Previous record: 11
Hey, what a cute hedgehog! Another Daily Winner!
And speaking of Daily, I couldn’t help but notice you’ve surpassed your previous record for consecutive days posting new mammals! GOOD WORK!
And thanks for giving me something to smile about every day, and for free too! How cool is that?
A FRIENDS HUSBAND HAS JUST BEEN POSTED OUT TO AFGHANISTAN AND WHILE DIGGING A TRENCH HE UNEARTHED THIS LITTLE CUTIE AND SENT A PICTURE OF IT HOME. AS THEY HAD RUINED ITS HABITAT THEY MADE IT A NEW DEN OUT OF AN OLD DRUM.