Eastern European Hedgehog

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iErinaceus concolor
Eastern European hedgehog
Conservation status
Least concern (LR/lc)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Insectivora Family: Erinaceidae Subfamily: Erinaceinae Genus: Erinaceus Species: E. concolor
Binomial name
Erinaceus concolor Martin, 1838

The Eastern European Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor), sometimes referred to as White-bellied Hedgehog or White-chested Hedgehog, is very similar to lifestyle and appearance to the Western European Hedgehog, but the former has a white spot on its chest. For a long time these two species were considered to be one. Eastern European hedgehog and Western European hedgehog can hybridize.

Unlike its Western European counterpart, Eastern European hedgehog never digs dens. They prefer building grass nests in secluded places.

[edit] References

• Insectivore Specialist Group (1996). Erinaceus concolor. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 06 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern