Hemiechinus auritus megalotis és una subespècie d'eriçó orellut originària de l'Afganistan i l'oest del Pakistan. Es caracteritza per la seva gran mida i tonalitat rogenca.
Amb una llargada de 23-28 cm i un pes de 700-900 grams, H. a. megalotis té més o menys la mateixa mida que l'eriçó comú. Com que viu principalment a zones muntanyoses, les temperatures més baixes probablement feren que evolucionés i esdevingués més gran que altres subespècies d'eriçó orellut. També hiberna durant uns sis mesos. Una altra adaptació són les seves urpes llargues i fer forats, que l'ajuden a escalar.
Caça insectes, serps i escorpins, però també li agraden els melons, les síndries i les baies.
Hemiechinus auritus megalotis és una subespècie d'eriçó orellut originària de l'Afganistan i l'oest del Pakistan. Es caracteritza per la seva gran mida i tonalitat rogenca.
Amb una llargada de 23-28 cm i un pes de 700-900 grams, H. a. megalotis té més o menys la mateixa mida que l'eriçó comú. Com que viu principalment a zones muntanyoses, les temperatures més baixes probablement feren que evolucionés i esdevingués més gran que altres subespècies d'eriçó orellut. També hiberna durant uns sis mesos. Una altra adaptació són les seves urpes llargues i fer forats, que l'ajuden a escalar.
Caça insectes, serps i escorpins, però també li agraden els melons, les síndries i les baies.
The Afghan hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus megalotis) is a subspecies of the long-eared hedgehog native to Afghanistan and western Pakistan. It is larger and reddish in colour, but otherwise similar in appearance to the long-eared hedgehog.
At 23–28 cm long and 700 to 900 grams of weight, the Afghan hedgehog is roughly the size of the West European hedgehog. Since the Afghan hedgehog occupies mostly mountainous areas, are abundant at 1000 meters, and often found as high as 2500 meters, thus living at the highest elevation among hedgehog species, lower temperatures probably made it evolve larger. It also hibernates for approximately six months. Another adaptation for mountain terrain that this subspecies possesses long claws on its legs, which are more suitable for climbing.
The Afghan hedgehog is common in its habitat. It preys on insects, snakes, and scorpions, but also prefers melons, watermelons, and berries. Because of its passion for melons, it is often considered a pest. The Afghan hedgehog is also a capable hole-digger, even in rough terrain.
The Afghan hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus megalotis) is a subspecies of the long-eared hedgehog native to Afghanistan and western Pakistan. It is larger and reddish in colour, but otherwise similar in appearance to the long-eared hedgehog.
At 23–28 cm long and 700 to 900 grams of weight, the Afghan hedgehog is roughly the size of the West European hedgehog. Since the Afghan hedgehog occupies mostly mountainous areas, are abundant at 1000 meters, and often found as high as 2500 meters, thus living at the highest elevation among hedgehog species, lower temperatures probably made it evolve larger. It also hibernates for approximately six months. Another adaptation for mountain terrain that this subspecies possesses long claws on its legs, which are more suitable for climbing.
The Afghan hedgehog is common in its habitat. It preys on insects, snakes, and scorpions, but also prefers melons, watermelons, and berries. Because of its passion for melons, it is often considered a pest. The Afghan hedgehog is also a capable hole-digger, even in rough terrain.
