Daurian Hedgehog

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

Daurian hedgehog
Conservation status
Least concern (LR/lc)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Insectivora Family: Erinaceidae Genus: Mesechinus Species: M. dauuricus
Binomial name
Mesechinus dauuricus (Sundevall, 1842)

The Daurian Hedgehog Mesechinus dauuricus is a solitary small hedgehog. It is listed in Red book of Russian Federation as a protected species with an unclear status, generally considered to be endangered. It populates Transbaikal region of Russia (this region is sometimes called Dauria, hence the name) and Northern Mongolia. It lives in dens and inhabits both forests and steppes. Adult Daurian hedgehogs are 15 to 20 centimeters long and weigh up to 1 kilogram (usually around 600 grams). Most live up to six years in nature. Like most hedgehog species in temperate regions, the Daurian hibernates during the winter.

After introduction and extensive use of pesticides in mid-1960s, the Russian population of Daurian hedgehogs suffered a major loss. Since that time, the species seems to have recovered a bit, although its population haven't reached its old size - yet. Currently, the Daurian hedgehog seems to have recovered and tends to move northwards and closer to cities due to more abundant food, less danger from agricultural activities and newfound human tolerance for their presence. Cases of new populations ignited by several adults moved by man to new areas have been reported. Due to the low population density of the region the complete status of the hedgehog is unclear.

Some scientists put the Daurian hedgehog into the Erinaceus family as a subspecies of the Western European hedgehog.

[edit] References

• Insectivore Specialist Group (1996). Mesechinus dauuricus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern