Brandt's hedgehog

Brandt's hedgehog
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Eulipotyphla
Family:	Erinaceidae
Genus:	Paraechinus
Species:	P. hypomelas
Binomial name
Paraechinus hypomelas (Brandt, 1836)
Brandt's hedgehog range

Brandt's hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas) is a species of desert hedgehog native to parts of the Middle East and Central Asia. ^[2] Its common name derives from its having first been described by Johann Friedrich von Brandt, a director of the Zoological Department at the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences.

Description

Brandt's hedgehog is approximately the size of the West European hedgehog (about 500–1,000 g (18–35 oz) in weight and 25 cm (9.8 in) in length), but has distinctively large ears (similar to the long-eared hedgehog), and is a much faster runner, due to lighter needle protection. Unlike the long-eared hedgehog, however, it is predominantly nocturnal.^{[ citation needed ]}

The first and only study of the Brandt's hedgehog histological skin characteristics found three layers of skin the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis; ^[3] while previous studies of other hedgehogs sited only two. ^[4]

Habitat

Brandt's hedgehog prefers arid desert areas and mountains. It often uses natural shelter, although it is still capable of digging dens when absolutely needed. It hibernates during colder weather.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. Bhattacharyya, T.; Srinivasulu, C.; Molur, S. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Paraechinus hypomelas". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T40610A115174910. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T40610A22326573.en . Retrieved 4 March 2022.
2. 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. p. 217. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
3. Bazm, M. Akbari; Goodarzi, N.; Abumandour, M. M. A.; Naseri, L.; Hosseinipour, M. (2020). "Histological characterisation of the skin of the Paraechinus hypomelas, Brandt, 1836 (Erinaceidae: Eulipotyphla)". Folia Morphologica. 79 (2): 280–287. doi: 10.5603/FM.a2019.0076 . ISSN   1644-3284. PMID   31313824.
4. Abe, Yoshinori; Tanaka, Nobuyuki (2017-11-20). "Roles of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Epidermal and Hair Follicle Development, Homeostasis, and Cancer". Journal of Developmental Biology. 5 (4): 12. doi: 10.3390/jdb5040012 . ISSN   2221-3759. PMC   5831796 . PMID   29615568.