Southern white-breasted hedgehog[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Erinaceidae
Genus: Erinaceus
Species:
E. concolor
Binomial name
Erinaceus concolor
Martin, 1838
Range of the southern white-breasted hedgehog (red)

The southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor), sometimes referred to as white-bellied hedgehog or white-chested hedgehog, is a hedgehog native to Eastern Europe and Southwestern Asia.

Description

It is very similar in lifestyle and appearance to the European hedgehog (E. europaeus), but it has a white spot on its chest.

Southern white-breasted hedgehog.

Taxonomy

For a long time these two species were considered to be one. The northern white-breasted hedgehog of Eastern Europe and Russia was formerly recognized as a subspecies of the southern white-breasted hedgehog but newer investigations see both as different species. The southern white-breasted hedgehog and European hedgehog can hybridize.

Behaviour

Unlike its European counterpart, the southern white-breasted hedgehog never digs dens. It prefers building grass nests in secluded places.

Parasites

The species carries a host of ectoparasites such as ticks and fleas and due to their increasing popularity as exotic pets, this can lead to a potential transmission of zoonotic diseases.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Hutterer, R. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 213–214. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ↑ Amori, G.; Hutterer, R.; Kryštufek, B.; Yigit, N.; Mitsainas, G.; Palomo, L. (2021). "Erinaceus concolor". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T40605A197506348. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T40605A197506348.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  3. ↑ Girisgin, V., Senlik, B., Aydin, L., & Cirak, V. Y. (2015, July 7). Ectoparasites of hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) from Turkey. Vetline. Retrieved October 27, 2023, from https://www.vetline.de/ectoparasites-of-hedgehogs-erinaceus-concolor-from-turkey DOI10.2376/0005-9366-128-315


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