Erinaceus
Erinaceus[1] Temporal range:
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E. europaeus
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Eulipotyphla |
Family: | Erinaceidae |
Subfamily: | Erinaceinae |
Genus: | Erinaceus Linnaeus, 1758 |
Type species | |
Species | |
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Erinaceus is a genus of hedgehog from the family of Erinaceidae. There are four main species of Erinaceus. The range is all across Europe, throughout the Middle East, parts of Russia, and extending to northern China and Korea. The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) has been introduced to New Zealand.[2][3]
Description
As is characteristic of other hedgehogs, members of Erinaceus have spines. These spines are a modification of the hair that is formed and strengthened by keratin. They contain hollow air filled gaps separated by thin inner layers of the spine to lessen the weight load.[4] Every spine is tapered at the end to form a point and also at the base where it then forms a bulb that is attached to the skin. The tapering at the base allows the spine to have a section that will bend under stress and dampen forces placed on the spines. Each of the spines has a dermal muscle that erects the spine for defense.[4] The size of Erinaceus is 20–30 cm with a weight of 400–1200 g.[5]
Behavior
Like all other hedgehogs Erinaceus is
Reproduction and lifespan
It is believed that Erinaceus is polygynous in mating. Once fertilized gestation is between 30 and 40 days. Upon birth the young are born blind and dependent to their mother. The average litter size is 2–5 offspring with a maximum of 10. Offspring are born without developed spines, which form within a few weeks. Weaning occurs around 4–6 weeks. Sexual maturity is reached around 12 months. The average life span is 2–5 years while in captivity lifespan can reach as much as 10 years.[4]
Diet
Erinaceus is an omnivore. It will eat small invertebrates, small vertebrates, fruit, vegetables, and even fungi. In some cases they have been known to eat venomous snakes or even toxic beetles. Some species show resistance to snake venom up to forty times greater than that of the ordinary laboratory mouse.[2][4]
Species
Image | Species | Distribution |
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Amur hedgehog (Erinaceus amurensis) | ||
Southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) | ||
European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) | ||
Northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus) |
References
- OCLC 62265494.
- ^ ISBN 0871968711..
- S2CID 23410570.
- ^ a b c d e f Grzimek, Bernhard, Neil Schlager, Donna Olendorf, and Melissa C. McDade. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2004.
- ^ Lal, S. S. Practical Zoology Vertebrate. Meerut, IN: Global Media, 2010.
- ISBN 089672364X.