The North African hedgehog (Atelerix algirus), also known as the Algerian hedgehog, is a small, spiny mammal native to North Africa and parts of Europe. Little is known about this hedgehog, even though the most common breed of domesticated hedgehogs is a result of crossing a four-toed hedgehog with a North African hedgehog.
The North African hedgehog is one of the four African hedgehog species and the only one that lives outside of Africa. Scientists think humans might have brought them to places like Spain and the Canary Islands.
A North African Hedgehog.
Appearance
The North African hedgehog closely resembles the European hedgehog but there are several distinct differences between the two species.
- Size: North African hedgehogs are usually smaller than European hedgehogs, measuring between 20 and 25 cm (7.9 and 9.8 in) long and weighing up to 650 grams. However, it is larger than the other African species of hedgehogs.
- Snout and Legs: They have a longer snout and longer legs, making it a faster runner.
- Coloration: Their face is light in color, usually appearing to be white, and the legs and head are brown. The fur on their belly can be brown or white.
- Ears: They have large, easy-to-see ears.
- Spines: Their body is covered in soft spines. These spines are mostly white with darker bands. A key way to tell them apart is that they do not have spines on the top of their head.
The spines on a hedgehog are actually modified hairs. Connected to the base of each spine is a small muscle which is used to pull the spine erect. When the muscles are relaxed, the spines are flat along the hedgehog’s back.
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A hedgehog curls up into a ball for defense.
Habitat and Distribution
Very little is actually known about the preferred habitat of the North African hedgehog.
- They have been found in Mediterranean conifer and mixed forest climates as are present in southern mountainous regions of Spain and northern Africa.
- In northern Africa, it can be found from Morocco to Libya, but is not able to survive in dry desert regions around this area.
- It can be found in other warmer regions as well, including the Canary Islands, and the Balearics.
- Within these regions, it can often be spotted in garden and park areas. They are also found near human populations.
They have been found in areas with Mediterranean forests. These forests have both conifer and mixed trees. In northern Africa, they live from Morocco all the way to Libya. However, they cannot survive in very dry desert areas. They also live in other warm places such as the Canary Islands and the Balearics. Within these regions, you might spot them in gardens and parks.
Behavior and Diet
African hedgehogs are solitary and nocturnal. They spend their days resting in rock crevices, burrows or under leaf piles. Towards evening they begin to forage for food, traveling on average 200 to 300 yards from their home. Because they have such an excellent sense of smell, most of their communication is through odors.
North African hedgehogs are generalist omnivores and are known to prey on other species of hedgehogs. Hedgehogs have an excellent sense of smell which helps them find their invertebrate prey. Although they have no scent glands, they do leave behind a scent that other hogs can detect.
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Hedgehogs are known for smearing their body with a food-saliva mixture.
Hedgehogs are known for smearing their body with a food-saliva mixture.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The gestation period of the North African hedgehog ranges from 30 to 40 days, and the litter size is between three and 10 hoglets. Two litters are often born in a season October to March. North African hedgehogs produce two litters per breeding season.
When hoglets are born, their skin is pink and hairless. They also have small, soft spines. These soft spines fall off later. Around four weeks old, the hoglets get their harder, stiffer quills. The young hedgehogs are born with their eyes and ears closed, with both opening in a month’s time. The hard hairs are present at birth but lie just below the skin surrounded by fluid. This prevents them from piercing the birth canal of the mother. The fluid evaporates after birth, allowing the skin to contract and push the spines through the skin.
North African hedgehogs become old enough to have their own babies when they are about eight to ten weeks old. These hedgehogs do not mate for life. The young are weaned in 6 weeks and are fully grown by 2 months of age.
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Parasites and Health
As all wild mammals, the North African hedgehog is the host of parasites. A detailed study in Mallorca found many parasites of the intestinal tract, including the nematodes Physaloptera immerpani, Spirura rytipleurites seurati, Aonchotheca erinacei and Gongylonema sp., the trematode Brachylaima sp.
The North African hedgehog can be a host for an intestinal parasite. This parasite is called Moniliformis aegyptiacus. These hedgehogs can sometimes have a specific type of flea.
Conservation Status
Of the 12 hedgehog species (in Africa, Asia and Europe), only one is considered threatened. African hedgehog populations are stable and appear to be thriving in some parts of their range. According to the IUCN Red List, the North African hedgehog is listed under least concern.
Because they are good at controlling garden pests, hedgehogs are mostly left alone by humans.
During periods of extreme weather or drought, African hedgehogs can go into a deep sleep called torpor.
Hedgehogs are immune to the toxins in toads.
Fun Facts
- Hedgehogs are known to be great companions and also make great pets.
- Hedgehogs raise their quills and make hissing noises when worried.
- Hedgehogs often make purring noises when content.
- Hedgehogs don’t rank very high on the food chain, making them sources of nutrients for owls, wild dogs, mongooses, and mustelids.
