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Desert hedgehog

Paraechinus aethiopicus

Published on Project Noah
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23.5893, 44.7085

Field Notes

Description:

The desert hedgehog is one of the smallest of hedgehogs. It is 5.5 to 11 inches long and weighs about 10-18 ounces. The spines on its back can be banded with coloring similar to the four-toed hedgehog. If desert hedgehogs are threatened, their muscles go tight and pull the outer layer of skin around the body, making their spikes stick out in all directions. As such it almost impossible to get to them.

Habitat:

It is found in the Sahara Desert, Algeria, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and possibly Ethiopia.

Reference Links:

Desert Hedgehog

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (24)
Gerardo Aizpuru
Wow fantastic spotting and photos! Congratulations Yazeed.
memoriesnverdie
Wow I've never seen a desert Hedgehog, he looks very nice and beautiful photos btw ;)
Ashish
Lovely mammal.. certainly a lesson for all users..!!
Leuba Ridgway
Congratulations ! - great spotting - never heard of these sweet little creatures in the desert. I hope he's not endangered. Thanks for sharing this.
Atul
congrats ! well deserved sotd!
KarenL
Congratulations Yazeed! I'm very happy your wonderful hedgehog made spotting of the day!
Sachin Zaveri
Congratulations Yazeed Alsahli for this one of the smallest hedgehogs
Carol Snow Milne
Congratulations on your spotting of the day and your photos. Thank you for sharing your part of the world. Wonderful!
Aaron_G
The framing of the lead image is absolutely perfect!
Yasser
Congratulations! This little hedgehog was chosen as Spotting of the Day! "The Desert Hedgehog is one of the smallest of all hedgehogs. When threatened, these little hedgehogs will curl into a tight ball extending their spines in all directions." Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151452208400603&set=a.10151164681410603.791492.10150120463815603&type=3&theater Twitter: http://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/186661734575120385
Ava T-B
I really like all your spottings so far, but this little guy is my favorite. Welcome to Project Noah.
KarenL
The third is lovely but I think the first one of the hedgehog in its habitat is outstanding!
Maria dB
The third is my favorite, too
KarenL
Wonderful photo Yazeed! Welcome to the community!

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Photographed
PublishedMarch 17, 2012

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