Description
This medium-sized mammal has a body of similar length to a large tree squirrel but is more heavily built and can weigh as much as a rabbit. It is considerably larger than the hedgehog species found in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Head-and-body length can range from 20 to 30 cm (7.9 to 12 in), with a vestigal tail adding only 1.5–3 cm (0.59–1.2 in). The adult weight typically ranges from 400 g (0.88 lb), after hibernation, to 1,200 g (2.6 lb), just prior to hibernation. The maximum recorded weight is 2,000 g (4.4 lb), though few specimens exceed 1,600 g (3.5 lb) even in fall. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this species is probably the largest species of hedgehog and is possibly the heaviest member of the Erinaceomorpha order, although the similarly-weighted moonrat can attain a considerably greater length. Males tend to be slightly larger than females. The animal appears brownish with most of its body covered by up to 6,000 brown and white spines. In most of its range it is unlike any other creature. However, where it co-exists with the southern white-breasted hedgehog, the two species are difficult to distinguish in the field, the latter having a white spot on its chest.
Read more about this topic: European Hedgehog
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