Southern African hedgehog - Atelerix frontalis
Category: Southern African hedgehog | Date: Jan 18 2008 | By: admin
The main predator of the hedgehog is man, being used as food and for their perceived medicinal purposes in traditional medicine. Hedgehogs are also killed on roads. As well as this, the loss of habitat and agricultural expansion are both detrimental to the hedgehog’s survival.
Hedgehogs have small spines which cover their body. A spine is thick, stiff hair similar to that of a rhino’s horn. The under body, together with the legs are covered with coarse hair. The males are smaller than the females, weighing between 240 - 480 grams only. When threatened, the hedgehog can roll up into a spiney ball by contracting a circular muscle which acts as a purse string.
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Lisa Hywood & Tikki Hywood Trust
"Life is not about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain" Anon.
Humans once belonged to the world, but we've moved away and now we are destroying it. I believe that each of us can do something to make a difference - our every positive thought and action creates a ripple effect.
- Lisa Hywood
Tikki Hywood Trust in Zimbabwe. -
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One Response to “Southern African hedgehog - Atelerix frontalis”
F. J. PECHIR, on 18 Jan 2008
Thank you Lisa! Its a shame that man senseless kill this little animal. This species feeding habits help in many cases farmers, due that many insects considered dangerous to crops are consumed by the hedgehog daily. Their diet also includes little reptiles, some invertebrates (appart from insects) and the fruit that they can find.
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