Four-toed Hedgehog
From Freepedia
| Four-toed hedgehog | ||||||||||||||
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| Image:Atelerix Albiventris.jpg | ||||||||||||||
| Image:Atelerix Albiventris white.jpg Two colour variations of four-toed hedgehog | ||||||||||||||
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| Atelerix albiventris (Wagner, 1841) |
The Four-toed hedgehog is a species of hedgehog native to most of Africa. Inhabits deserts, savannah and bush, avoids forests. Average in size (15-25 cm, 350-700 grams). A distinctive feature of four-toed hedgehog is the lack of thumbs on rear feet, thus the name. Nocturnal, doesn't hibernate. Not a fast runner. Cuddles when approached, pointing needles in all directions.
Four-toed hedgehog is nearly omnivorous, it consumes insects, snails, spiders, small scorpions, small snakes and even plants, although insects is a main part of his diet. Poison resistance allows him to consume poisonous snakes and hedgehogs without risk of dying.
Four-toed hedgehog has a complicated mating ritual which involves a lot of vocalization on male part. It takes several hours for couple to get together.
Four-toed hedgehog is one of the favourites among hedgehog breeders in the world. Domesticated hedgehog is partially based on this species.
