Paraechinus

Characteristics:

The ‘desert hedgehogs’. A wide parting in the spines on the crown of the head, large ears and dense, soft fur on the underside.

Four species:

Desert hedgehog

Scientific name: Paraechinus aethiopicus
Found in: Parts of North Africa and the Middle East.
Notes: One of the smallest species of hedgehog.

Brandt’s hedgehog

Scientific name: Paraechinus hypomelas
Found in: Parts of the Middle East and Central Asia.
Notes: Named after the German-Russian naturalist Johann Friedrich von Brandt who first described the species.

Indian hedgehog

Scientific name: Paraechinus micropus
Found in: India and Pakistan.
Notes: Relatively small, known for it’s dark masked face, similar to a raccoon.

Bare-bellied hedgehog

Scientific name: Paraechinus nudiventris
Found in: Southeastern India
Notes: Also known as the Madras Hedgehog.