Erinaceidae Archives - NatureWorks

Erinaceidae - Gymnures, Hedgehogs

There are about 24 species in this family. They are found in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The species in this family have rounded bodies, pointed noses, and short tails. They live in burrows or under logs and eat insects, frogs, mice, worms, reptiles, roots, and fruit.

HEDGEHOGS

Hedgehogs have sharp, spiny fur on their backs and sides and roll up into a ball to protect their fur-covered bellies. Hedgehogs can even eat poisonous snakes. Hedgehogs are nocturnal.

GYMNURES

Gymnures don’t have spines, but they have stiff, bristly fur. Gymnures give off a musky smell when they are threatened. They are found in Southeast Asia. Gymnures are active in the day.

Four-Toed Hedgehog
(Atelerix albiventris)

The four-toed hedgehog, also known as the African pygmy hedgehog, is found in central and eastern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
North African Hedgehog
(Atelerix algirus)

The North African hedgehog is found in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Southern African Hedgehog
(Atelerix frontalis)

The southern African hedgehog is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Somali Hedgehog
(Atelerix sclateri)

The Somali hedgehog is found in Somalia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Moonrat
(Echinosorex gymnura)

The moonrat is found in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Amur Hedgehog
(Erinaceus amurensis)

The Amur hedgehog is found in China, Russia and North and South Korea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Southern White-Breasted Hedgehog
(Erinaceus concolor)

The southern white-breasted hedgehog is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, Türkiye, and Ukraine. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Western European Hedgehog
(Erinaceus europaeus)

The Western European hedgehog is found in much of Western Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog
(Erinaceus roumanicus)

The Northern White-breasted Hedgehog is found in much of eastern Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Short-Tailed Gymnure
(Hylomys suillus)

The Short-tailed Gymnure is found in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Daurian Hedgehog
(Mesechinus dauuricus)

The Daurian Hedgehog is found in China, Mongolia, and Russia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Desert Hedgehog
(Paraechinus aethiopicus)

The desert hedgehog is found in Northern Africa and the Middle East. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Brandt's Hedgehog
(Paraechinus hypomelas)

Brandt's hedgehog is found in Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Madras Hedgehog
(Paraechinus nudiventris)

The Madras hedgehog, also known as the bare-bellied hedgehog, is found in southeastern India. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern