Indian long-eared hedgehog
{{Short description|Species of mammal}}
{{Speciesbox
|name=Indian long-eared hedgehog
|status=LC
|status_system=IUCN3.1
|image=Hemiechinus collaris Hardwicke.jpg
|image_caption=Indian long-eared hedgehog illustration
|genus=Hemiechinus
|species=collaris
|authority=(Gray, 1830)
|range_map=Indian Long-eared Hedgehog area.png
|range_map_caption=Indian long-eared hedgehog range
}}
The Indian long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus collaris) is a small species of mammal native to northern India and Pakistan. It is insectivorous and nocturnal.{{MSW3 Hutterer |pages=215}}{{cite journal|author=Goyal, R. P.|author2=Mathur, R. S.|name-list-style=amp|title=Anatomic, Histologic and Certain Enzymatic Studies on the Male Genital Organs of Hemiechinus auritus collaris Gray, the Indian Long Eared Hedgehog|doi=10.1111/j.1463-6395.1974.tb00178.x|year=1974|journal=Acta Zoologica|volume=55|pages=47–58}}
Description
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is a relatively small hedgehog (~17 cm, 200–500 grams). It is a nocturnal animal that is often found inhabiting burrows. Similar to most hedgehogs it has spines on its back, embedded into a muscle sheath. This sheath forms a bag-like structure that the animal can hide inside for protection. It can also erect its spines to further protect from predators. The Indian long-eared hedgehog has a well developed set of senses because of its large ears, eyes and whiskers near its snout.{{cite journal|author=Catania, K.|title=Evolution of sensory specialization in insectivores|doi=10.1002/ar.a.20265|year=2005|journal=The Anatomical Record Part A: Discoveries in Molecular, Cellular, and Evolutionary Biology|volume=287A|pages=1038–50|pmid=16215983|issue=1|doi-access=free}} These senses, especially smell, help them find food and/or a possible partner.{{cite journal|author=Poddar-Sarkar, M.|author2=Raha, P.|author3=Bhar, R.|author4=Chakraborty, A.|author5=Brahmachary, R.|name-list-style=amp|doi=10.1111/j.1463-6395.2010.00452.x|title=Ultrastructure and lipid chemistry of specialized epidermal structure of Indian porcupines and hedgehog|year=2011|journal=Acta Zoologica|volume=92|issue=2|pages=134|doi-access=free}}
Diet
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is insectivorous, feeding on small insects. Because of their arid desert habitat they often receive most of the water they need from their food supply.{{cite journal|author=Sharma, A.|author2=Mathur, R. S.|name-list-style=amp|title=Histomorphological Changes in the Reproductive Tract of Female Hemiechinus auritus collaris, Gray in Relation to the Estrous Cycle|doi=10.1111/j.1463-6395.1974.tb00199.x|year=1974|journal=Acta Zoologica|volume=55|issue=4|pages=235}}
Distribution
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is found in India (Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) and Pakistan (North West Frontier Province, Punjab and Sindh). It experiences extreme heat in the months of May and June and very cold weather in December and January.