African white-bellied pygmy hedgehog. African hedgehog. Lifestyle and habitat of the African hedgehog. "Special feature" of this breed

Class: Mammalia Linnaeus, 1758 = Mammals
Subclass: Theria Parker et Haswell, 1879= Viviparous mammals, real beasts
Infraclass: Eutheria, Placentalia Gill, 1872= Placental, higher beasts
Superorder: Ungulata = Ungulates
Order: Insectivora = Insectivora
Family: Erinaceidae Fischer von Waldheim, 1817 = Hedgehogs
Species: Atelerix (= Erinaceus) albiventris = African Pygmy Hedgehog (= White Belly Hedgehog)

Species: Atelerix (= Erinaceus) albiventris = African Pygmy Hedgehog (= White Belly Hedgehog)

The African pygmy hedgehog is found in southern Africa from Senegal to Sudan and Zambia. In a relaxed form, it has a mostly oval shape. The limbs are short and therefore the rounded body of the animal is low above the ground. The African pygmy hedgehog has a very short tail. When threatened, the animal can, through the contraction of a series of muscles, transform itself into a compact spherical shape (like a ball), which causes its spines to stick out in all directions. In a relaxed state, the spines fit snugly against the body of the animal.

The average body length of the African Pygmy Hedgehog is approximately 7-9 inches when the animal is in a relaxed state. When it takes on a characteristic defense, turning into a ball, the hedgehog becomes the size of a large grapefruit. The average body weight is 600 g. Sexual dimorphism is poorly developed, there is a slight difference in size: females slightly outsizing males. The typical coloration of the body is the color of the agouti type. Hedgehogs with this coloring page have spikes that are colored brown or gray with a cream color. The face and lower body are covered with soft, white fur. There are other, rarer colors, although agouti is by far the most common.

A mature female usually gives birth once or twice a year. As solitary animals, they look for partners of the opposite sex during the breeding season. They tend to mate during the rainy and warm seasons when food is plentiful, typically between October and March in southern Africa. Pregnancy lasts 35 days. Cubs are born with already developed spines, but they are covered with a shell. Within a few hours of birth, this membrane dries out and the spines immediately begin to grow. Weaning starts at about 3 weeks and ends between the 4th and 6th weeks. The babies leave their mother soon after. The young become sexually mature at about two months of age.

Mean number of offspring 6, mean gestation 35 days, mean birth weight 10 g, mean age of sexual or reproductive maturity in females 84 days, mean lifespan in captivity 11.4 years.

African pygmy hedgehog is a solitary animal. As a nocturnal creature, it is constantly moving, covering up to several kilometers in a single night. Although they are not territorial, individuals keep their distance from other African pygmy hedgehogs. For example, males usually keep at least 60 feet apart. There are several unique behaviors present in this species. One of them is the process of self-anointing. When an animal discovers a unique taste and aroma it creates a frothy saliva which it proceeds to circulate across its body in a series of remarkable distortions. The reason for this behavior is unknown. This is most likely related to either reproduction and mate choice or self defense. Another behavior is to use the animal's summer hibernation or winter hibernation to help it survive when temperatures are not at the optimum 75-85 degrees.

Eating Habits Atelerix albiventris is omnivorous butprimarily insectivorous. It feeds mainly on invertebrates such as spiders and insects, sometimes also on small amounts of vegetable matter or small vertebrates. African pygmy hedgehogs are opportunistic feeders with an extremely high tolerance to toxins. They are known to eat scorpions and small venomous snakes without any ill effects.

In the United States, many successful breeders sell animals to the pet trade. Also, because Atelerix albiventris eats many things considered "pests" by humans, the hedgehog's diet makes it an important part of the local ecosystem and pest control.

Conservation status In addition to the wildlife found in the African deserts, closed animal husbandry exists in the United States to serve the pet trade market. It is no longer legal to transport animals from Africa, so their populations there are not threatened by the animal trade. IUCN Red List Not of Concern More information Other comments African pygmy hedgehogs live about 2-3 years in the wild. In captivity, they can live up to 8-10 years, mainly due to the lack of predators and improved nutrition.

Rabbits and other similar animals in their content.

But not everyone knows that this charming pet is actually not so domestic, moreover, completely different species are hidden under the term "African hedgehog".

Features and habitat

Before as buy African hedgehog you need to clarify that the breeder sells exactly what you want to have, since these animals come in several types that differ in appearance:

Algerian;
South African;
Somali;
white-bellied;
dwarf.

However, the differences relate only to the appearance of animals, habits, habitat and, in general, the character of all species are similar.

Algerian

Algerian representatives of hedgehogs in nature live not only in the place of their historical origin, that is, in Algeria and Tunisia, but also in Europe, for example, in Spain and southern France, they can be found much more often than ordinary "indigenous" hedgehogs. They got here on merchant ships at a time when the north was colonial and very quickly got used to it.

In length, the "Algerians" grow up to 25-30 cm, their needles, face and paws are brown, without red tints, closer to coffee with milk, and the body itself is much lighter. These hedgehogs run very fast, in general are very curious and mobile, lock in African hedgehog cells this type is not recommended, since they practically do not tolerate limited space.

At home, such hedgehogs feel great living in large enclosures or just on the territory, they are very curious and very social, easily accustomed to the tray and in many ways resemble an ordinary cat, especially if they wallow on upholstered furniture.

They rarely get sick, but they are very susceptible to directly "hedgehog" viruses, for example, Archaeopsylla erinacei maura, therefore, if you plan to participate in hedgehog exhibitions or have any other contacts with relatives, you must definitely be vaccinated.

By nature, domestic hedgehogs resemble cats

South African

The South African species is distributed in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana and Lesotho.

These hedgehogs are smaller than Algerian hedgehogs, they grow up to 20 cm in length, but at the same time they weigh an average of 350 to 700 grams. The muzzle, paws and spines of this species are dark brown, black and chocolate, the tummy is slightly lighter, but always the same tone as the spines, but there is always a clear light vertical stripe on the forehead.

Unlike their Algerian relatives, these hedgehogs do not run fast, on the contrary, they move slowly, waddling. They calmly tolerate the closed territory and love to eat and sleep very much. They are calm about “manual” human attention, but they are very afraid of sharp and loud sounds. Resistant to all diseases, but do not tolerate drafts.

The South African hedgehog is distinguished by the presence of a light stripe on the muzzle

Somali

This species lives in the northern part of Somalia and on numerous photo of African hedgehogs most often these animals are depicted, since of all only the "Somali" have incredibly expressive "cartoon" muzzles and eyes clearly distinguished by color.

Hedgehogs mature at the age of a year, but they are completely independent in nutrition and other life aspects from their parents already at 4-5 months, it is customary to sell hedgehogs at the age of six months.

If you want to breed these pets, you need to choose not only the colors of the African hedgehog that are interesting for crossing, but also a spacious aviary in which two independent single animals can get along at a time when they will not reproduce their own kind, that is, large in territory an aviary with thoughtful "sanitary" details. These animals live in nature from 3 to 4 years, in captivity for 10 years or more.

African hedgehog female with cubs

African hedgehog at home

This animal, regardless of its variety, is almost as if created in order to be a pet. Moreover, these animals are kept in houses and apartments for a very long time, back in the 19th century they kept hedgehogs, so any description of them will necessarily be mostly devoted to the behavior of animals in the house, and not in nature.

The only difficulty that inexperienced owners may encounter is the hedgehog's gluttony, which leads to excess weight, difficulty in movement, and earlier aging and death.

Otherwise, the hedgehog is just an ideal pet, of course, if you get exactly the kind that is as close as possible to your own established lifestyle, or you buy a pygmy hedgehog that easily adapts to everything in the world.

African hedgehog may sleep during the day, but with your arrival he becomes a companion

Price of African hedgehogs depends on many things, including their variety. The cheapest are mestizos, born due to inattention or because of the experiments of the owners - from 2 to 4 thousand rubles.

The cost of a white-bellied hedgehog averages 6-7 thousand rubles, and a dwarf hedgehog - about 12 thousand rubles. Algerians and Somalis will cost less - from 4,000 to 5,000. These are average prices in pet stores, however, among private ads, it is quite possible to find a hedgehog many times cheaper or even free of charge.

An oval body on short legs, a small tail, an elongated muzzle on which a pair of black beady eyes shine, and, of course, a fluffy white tummy - this is the portrait of a white-bellied hedgehog (lat. Atelerix albiventris), living in the savannahs of Central and East Africa.

The fact that he has well-developed sense organs is indicated by large rounded ears and long mustaches. White-bellied hedgehogs have one feature that distinguishes them from other prickly brethren. On their nimble little paws, the fifth, big, finger is missing, which is completely unusual for other types of hedgehogs.

White-bellied, or as they are often called, African pygmy hedgehogs do not particularly favor the forest climate and most often settle in dry, scorched grass, and sometimes rocky areas, climbing to a height of up to 2,000 meters above sea level.

In these parts, they coexist with formidable predators - pale owls, jackals, and badgers, the presence of which makes them often use their long sharp needles.

Energetic by nature, white-bellied hedgehogs travel hundreds of meters in search of prey - spiders, beetles, snails, scorpions and even poisonous snakes, to the toxins of which they have strong immunity.

Comfortable temperatures for these little hunters range from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. Anything above or below is a serious reason to hibernate, which they safely do.

White-bellied hedgehogs have another interesting feature: having felt an unfamiliar smell, they secrete foamy saliva and begin to actively lubricate the spines with it. What is the reason for this behavior is not exactly known - probably this is another way of self-defense.

White-breasted hedgehog (white-bellied hedgehog) - Erinaceus concolor Martin, 1838

Order Insectivora - Insectivora

Hedgehog family - Erinacaeidae

Category, status. 4 - indeterminate status due to little study and insufficient documented information. Included in the Red Book of the Republic of Latvia. Modern morphological (3, 7), biochemical and molecular (2) studies have shown the taxonomic independence of 4 species in the genus Erinaceus: common (Central Russian), southern (Danubian), Amur, white-breasted (6). The presence of the white-breasted hedgehog in Russia has not yet been confirmed by molecular data (6).

Short description. Body length 180-352 mm, tail length 20-39 mm, body weight 240-1232 g. Ears are short, less than 35 mm. The length of the needles is 25-35 mm, the hair is bristly, hard. The color of the fur is dominated by dark brown and grayish-ocher tones, the needles are brownish, with whitish strokes. On the chest, and often also on the throat and belly, there is a continuous blurry spot of white hair (3,4,5).

Range and distribution. From Central Europe to Western Siberia, the stable northern border of the range runs along Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Moscow, Kostroma and Kirov regions, in the south - the Balkan Peninsula, Turkey, the Caucasian Isthmus, northern Kazakhstan (4.5). In the Pskov region, the white-breasted hedgehog is indicated for the territory of the Sebezhsky National Park (the village of Osyno, the village of Rudnya) (1, 8).

Habitats and features of biology. It occurs in a variety of landscapes from semi-desert to alpine meadows, avoids continuous tall forests. Prefers edges, river valleys, field edges, forest belts, settlements with personal plots, recreational areas. In the Pskov region, it was noted in rural settlements (1.8). Active at night. Males do not build nests in summer, using natural shelters for rest. Brood nests are located in shrubs, under tussocks, lined with dry leaves or grass, small branches from the inside. Winter hibernation from September to March - April. Its duration depends on climatic conditions, gender, age and the amount of fat reserves of the animal. Insects form the basis of nutrition. Quite often it also eats slugs, earthworms, berries, cereal seeds. In the northern part of the range, the proportion of amphibians in the diet increases. The breeding period is extended throughout the warm season, females bring 1 litter of 3-8 cubs (4.5).

The number of species and limiting factors. No data available. Compared to the common hedgehog, it is more sensitive to cold. Unfavorable overwintering conditions are the main limiting factor.

Security measures. Protected in the Sebezhsky National Park. It is necessary to search for new localities of the species and confirm its taxonomic status by modern methods.

Sources of information:

1. Aksenova et al., 2001; 2. Bannikova et al., 2003; 3. Zaitsev, 1984; 4. Mammals..., 1999; 5. Pavlinov, 1999; 6. Pavlinov, Lisovsky, 2012; 7. Tembotova, 1999; 8. Fetisov, 2005.

Compiled by: A. V. Istomin.

People like hedgehogs because they are cute and fun to watch. But if the ordinary (European) hedgehogs familiar to us, which can be found in the forest, in the park or in the country, are usually not very friendly and affectionate creatures, then the African pygmy white-bellied hedgehog is a very cute creature both outside and inside.

The African pygmy hedgehog does not occur in nature - it is an artificially bred species of hedgehogs. It appeared relatively recently and immediately gained popularity among fans of home exotics all over the world. This hybrid breed was created specifically for home keeping as a result of crossing the Algerian and other representatives of the African hedgehog genus. Breeders set themselves the goal of getting an animal of a small size, with a friendly disposition and not hibernating. And they succeeded! A mini hedgehog fits easily in the palm of your hand: its body length usually does not exceed 20 cm, and it weighs no more than 500 grams. This applies to females; males are even more subtle. African hedgehogs are practically odorless and do not cause allergies.

Appearance of a pygmy hedgehog

Outwardly, the African pygmy hedgehog looks like a regular hedgehog, but is much smaller in size. The upper part of the body of the mini-hedgehog, like all its fellows, is covered with needles. By the way, when a hedgehog is in a good mood and relaxed, his needles are not prickly at all, they are soft. And the hedgehog has soft fur on the muzzle and belly, shiny curious beady eyes, a pointed nose, round ears, a short tail and very touching tiny paws with claws.

What color are African hedgehogs?

Purposefully breeding micro-hedgehogs began more than twenty years ago in America. During this time, the breeders have succeeded in a lot, especially in terms of a variety of colors: once a modest gray color, today African hedgehogs delight the eye with a rainbow of colors. Now you can find colors such as "chocolate", "apricot", "cinnamon", "champagne", as well as spotted and albinos. And enthusiasts are not going to stop there.

Is it difficult to care for African hedgehogs?

Caring for these prickly creatures is not too difficult. For happiness, a domestic hedgehog needs an aviary or a spacious cage (the more the better), a bowl, a drinking bowl and a house for privacy. As a bedding, an ordinary diaper, straw or sawdust is usually used.

And it must also be borne in mind that miniature hedgehogs are thermophilic animals. They will feel comfortable at a temperature of +22- +25 ° C. At temperatures slightly below these values, hedgehogs become lethargic. If the thermometer in the room where the pet is kept shows +15 ° From and below, then for a hedgehog it’s downright frost, in which he strives to hibernate. In no case should this be brought up to - there is a high probability that the African simply will not come out of hibernation.

Pygmy hedgehogs are usually neat: the toilet is arranged exclusively in one place. You just have to put the tray there and clean it daily.

And one more thing: so that a miniature hedgehog does not turn into a kolobok, and does not get bored on long nights, he must have at his disposal the equivalent of a treadmill - a running wheel. By the way, obesity in mini-hedgehogs is a fairly common problem: they love to eat very much. The normal weight of a pygmy hedgehog is 300-400 grams. However, it can be easily fed up to a kilogram, but will the hedgehog be good for this? They are fed with dry cat food, lean boiled meat, various insects. You can read more about what and how to feed African pygmy hedgehogs in the article.

Important: protect your hedgehog from colds: avoid drafts, do not drink cold water. Water for rare water procedures should be warm.

Although by nature they are nocturnal animals, they are unlikely to cause much concern to their owners in the dark. Unlike their forest relatives, these crumbs do not even stomp. And with a certain perseverance, you can somewhat change their natural habits: teach them to stay awake during the daytime and sleep at night.

What do pygmy hedgehogs like?

These prickly, sniffling and slightly clumsy crumbs do not hold mischief - they will climb somewhere and hide. In general, hide and seek is their favorite pastime. And notdespite their prickly appearance and independent disposition, these pets are usually quite sociable. Many hedgehogs love toys - rattles, squeakers and the like, and some don't even mind running after the ball. And when they get tired, they can, like cats, curl up on their master's lap and take a nap.

Where is the best place to buy an African hedgehog?

It is better to buy African pygmy hedgehogs from experienced breeders, and not in a pet store, and even more so, not in a spontaneous market. The breeders will always help with advice, and you can make sure that your future pet is kept in proper conditions. Documents must be attached to each animal.

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