Brandt’s Hedgehog:
A new species of hedgehog, Brandt’s hedgehog, not so far found in India, has been recently discovered in Jammu and Kashmir, DNA analysis and morphological studies reveal.
- It is a species of desert hedgehog.
- Scientific Name: Paraechinus hypomela
- It is native to parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, with a range that includes Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Turkmenistan.
- It inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, including rocky deserts, scrublands, and dry mountain slopes.
- The species is adapted to environments with sparse vegetation, loose or stony soils, and extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night.
- It is often associated with areas that provide natural shelter, such as rock crevices, abandoned burrows, or dense shrubs.
- It is still capable of digging dens when absolutely needed. It hibernates during colder weather.
- It has a black brownish face with a few white hairs interspersed on the forehead.
- They have large ears with a narrow base.
- Both the dorsal and ventral surfaces as well as the limbs are usually blackish brown.
- It has five short-nailed toes on each of its two front paws.
- Its back paws have four toes each with nails that constantly grow long.
- It is a faster runner due to lighter needle protection.
- It is predominantly nocturnal.
- Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least concern.
