Erinaceus
Encyclopedia
Erinaceus is a genus of European 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. Some of the European hedgehogs have been introduced to New Zealand.
. The spines contain hollow air filled gaps separated by thin inner layers of the spine to lessen the weight load. 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. The size ranges for Erinaceus is between 20-30 cm with weight ranges of 400-1200 g.
Like most hedgehogs Erinaceus is solitary until breeding season. Another normal action is self-anointing where the organism produces thick foamy saliva and proceeds to cover its spines with the salvia. This could be in response to a chemical signal and often is done when a new object is introduced. The reason for self-anointing is unknown and believed to be either part of a defense or attraction of a mate.
Hibernation
is common in each of the species for Erinaceus. Most have the ability to lower the body temperature close that of the environmental temperature. In particular Erinaceus europaeus
the body temperature can drop down to 1°C and lower its heart rate down to 22 beats per minute.
in mating. Once fertilized gestation
is between 30-40 days. Upon birth the young are born blind and dependent to their mother. The average liter 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.
. It will eat small invertebrates, small vertebrates, fruit, vegetables, and even fungi. In some cases they have been know to eat venomous snakes or even toxic beetles. Some species show resistance to snake venom up to forty times greater then the ordinary laboratory mouse.
Hedgehog
A hedgehog is any of the spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae and the order Erinaceomorpha. There are 17 species of hedgehog in five genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand . There are no hedgehogs native to Australia, and no living species native to the Americas...
from the family of Erinaceidae
Erinaceidae
Erinaceidae is the only living family in the order Erinaceomorpha, which has recently been subsumed with Soricomorpha into the order Eulipotyphla...
. 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. Some of the European hedgehogs have been introduced to New Zealand.
Physical Description
Erinaceus is like all hedgehogs in that the major physical characteristic is the spines. These spines are a modification of the hair that is formed and strengthened by keratinKeratin
Keratin refers to a family of fibrous structural proteins. Keratin is the key of structural material making up the outer layer of human skin. It is also the key structural component of hair and nails...
. The spines contain hollow air filled gaps separated by thin inner layers of the spine to lessen the weight load. 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. The size ranges for Erinaceus is between 20-30 cm with weight ranges of 400-1200 g.
Behavior
Like all other hedgehogs Erinaceus is nocturnal and seeks shelter in shrubs and burrows during the day. The common defense mechanism is to roll into a ball with the spines facing outward. The action is done because of excess loose skin on the back of hedgehogs allows them to pull it around the rest of their body forming a ball. The first step is to pull skin fold over the head and rear of the body. Once this is done a muscle that runs along the edges of the animal called the panniculus cavnosus contracts pulling everything in like a drawstring.Like most hedgehogs Erinaceus is solitary until breeding season. Another normal action is self-anointing where the organism produces thick foamy saliva and proceeds to cover its spines with the salvia. This could be in response to a chemical signal and often is done when a new object is introduced. The reason for self-anointing is unknown and believed to be either part of a defense or attraction of a mate.
Hibernation
Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate...
is common in each of the species for Erinaceus. Most have the ability to lower the body temperature close that of the environmental temperature. In particular Erinaceus europaeus
European Hedgehog
The European Hedgehog , Common hedgehog or just Hedgehog in the anglophone parts of Europe, is a hedgehog species found in northern and western Europe. It is about 20 to 30 cm in length. Adult mass typically ranges from 600 to up to 1,200 g ; occasionally, it may reach as much as...
the body temperature can drop down to 1°C and lower its heart rate down to 22 beats per minute.
Reproduction and Lifespan
It is believed that Erinaceus is polygynousPolygyny
Polygyny is a form of marriage in which a man has two or more wives at the same time. In countries where the practice is illegal, the man is referred to as a bigamist or a polygamist...
in mating. Once fertilized gestation
Gestation
Gestation is the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal. Mammals during pregnancy can have one or more gestations at the same time ....
is between 30-40 days. Upon birth the young are born blind and dependent to their mother. The average liter 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.
Diet
Erinaceus is an omnivoreOmnivore
Omnivores are species that eat both plants and animals as their primary food source...
. It will eat small invertebrates, small vertebrates, fruit, vegetables, and even fungi. In some cases they have been know to eat venomous snakes or even toxic beetles. Some species show resistance to snake venom up to forty times greater then the ordinary laboratory mouse.
Species
- Amur HedgehogAmur HedgehogThe Amur Hedgehog is a hedgehog similar to the West European Hedgehog in outlook and lifestyle, although it is more lightly coloured. An average animal weighs from 600 to 1000 grams. Native to Amur Krai and Primorye in Russia, Manchuria in China and the Korean peninsula....
(Erinaceus amurensis) - Southern White-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor)
- European HedgehogEuropean HedgehogThe European Hedgehog , Common hedgehog or just Hedgehog in the anglophone parts of Europe, is a hedgehog species found in northern and western Europe. It is about 20 to 30 cm in length. Adult mass typically ranges from 600 to up to 1,200 g ; occasionally, it may reach as much as...
(Erinaceus europaeus) - Northern White-breasted HedgehogNorthern White-breasted HedgehogThe Northern White-breasted Hedgehog is a species of hedgehog.The range of the species extends in the west as far as Poland, Austria and the former Yugoslavia, and south to Greece and the Adriatic Islands, including populations on Crete, Corfu and Rhodes. It is found eastwards through Russia and...
(Erinaceus roumanicus)