Indian hedgehog

Taxonomy

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Eulipotyphla
Family:	Erinaceidae
Genus:	Paraechinus
Species:	Paraechinus micropus

Natural range & habitat

The Indian Hedgehog is native to the Indian subcontinent, with a range covering large parts of India and Pakistan. It inhabits dry grasslands, scrublands, sandy deserts, and semi-arid agricultural areas. The species is particularly common in the Thar Desert region and other low-rainfall zones, where it has adapted to extreme temperatures and scarce water sources. It prefers areas with loose or sandy soil suitable for burrowing and foraging, often seeking shelter under bushes, in rock crevices, or in abandoned burrows of other animals. While it avoids dense forests and wetlands, it can persist in moderately disturbed habitats, including cultivated fields, provided there is enough natural cover.

Physical traits

The Indian Hedgehog is a small to medium-sized hedgehog, with an average length of 14 to 20 centimeters and weight ranging from 300 to 500 grams. It is notable for the distinct facial mask of dark fur contrasting with a lighter stripe running from the nose over the head, giving it a bandit-like appearance. The spines are usually pale or sandy with darker bands, providing camouflage in its arid surroundings. The underbelly is covered with coarse, light-brown to grey fur. The ears are relatively large, aiding in heat dissipation, and the limbs are adapted for digging. As with most hedgehogs, there is no pronounced sexual dimorphism, though seasonal weight changes occur, with the heaviest condition prior to cooler months.

Behavior & lifestyle

The Indian Hedgehog is nocturnal and solitary, emerging at night to forage and returning to its shelter before dawn. During the day, it rests in burrows it digs itself or in the shelters of other animals. In the hottest months, it may enter periods of aestivation to conserve energy and water, while in cooler northern parts of its range, it may reduce activity in winter but does not undergo prolonged hibernation. It is an agile and alert species, capable of running relatively quickly compared to heavier hedgehog species. Home range size varies according to habitat quality and food availability. Encounters with conspecifics outside the breeding season are rare and usually avoided.

Communication

Communication in the Indian Hedgehog is primarily olfactory, with scent marking likely used for territory boundaries and reproductive signaling. Acoustic communication includes hissing, grunting, and snorting, particularly during mating interactions or when threatened. The species’ visual markings, especially the facial mask, may play a role in close-range identification, although no studies confirm this. Self-anointing behavior has been recorded, as in other hedgehogs, but its function remains unclear.

Diet in the wild

The Indian Hedgehog is an opportunistic insectivore. Its diet consists mainly of beetles, ants, termites, grasshoppers, and other ground-dwelling invertebrates. It may also consume small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs, or nestling birds, as well as bird eggs and carrion when available. Plant material, including fruits and seeds, is occasionally eaten, especially when animal prey is scarce. Foraging is typically done on the ground, with the hedgehog using its acute sense of smell to detect prey hidden in the soil or leaf litter. Water is primarily obtained from food sources, an important adaptation for survival in arid environments.

Reproduction & life cycle

Breeding generally occurs in spring and summer, although timing may vary with climate and resource availability. Courtship likely follows the typical hedgehog pattern of circling and scent-based interactions. Gestation lasts about 35 to 40 days, and the female gives birth to a litter of two to six hoglets in a concealed nest. The young are born blind and with soft spines that harden within days. Eyes open at around two weeks, and weaning occurs by four to six weeks of age. Juveniles disperse shortly thereafter, and sexual maturity is typically reached within the first year. Lifespan in the wild is estimated at three to five years, though individuals in captivity can live longer.

Threats & conservation status

The Indian Hedgehog is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its broad range and presumed large population. However, localized threats include habitat degradation from agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and urban development. Road mortality is common in some areas, and predation by domestic dogs poses a risk near human settlements. Pesticide use can reduce prey abundance and cause secondary poisoning. In some rural communities, hedgehogs are hunted for food or used in traditional medicine. Climate change may further alter its habitat and prey availability, although the species’ adaptability suggests it may be more resilient than some others.

This species in captivity

The Indian Hedgehog is rarely kept in captivity outside its native range and is not a common pet species. Within India and Pakistan, it may be kept illegally as a curiosity animal, often without proper care or understanding of its needs. It requires a warm, dry enclosure with hiding places and a diet rich in live insects to mimic its natural feeding behavior. Because it remains non-domesticated, it retains strong wild instincts and can be stressed by frequent handling. It is best suited only for short-term rehabilitation in wildlife rescue centers, with release back into the wild as the primary goal. There are no established captive breeding programs for this species, and conservation is focused on maintaining healthy wild populations through habitat protection and education.