PALE HEDGEHOG/INDIAN HEDGEHOG
Local name : Shelo
Physical measurements & life cycle
Length : 15-20 cm
Weight : 300-450 gm
Life span : 5-6 years.
Breeding : July-August
* Description
It has greyish golden colour. Densely grown,sharp,thorn-like (spiny) and hard hairs on the body form a protective cover for this animal looks like a big rat that pig-like snout and very short neck.
* Food
Omnivorous.consumes fruits, insects,worms,eggs of birds,frogs,snakes and rats.
* Distribution
Distributed over all parts of the state.
* Habitat
It lives in bushes,hay,beneath dry leaves, or in under ground burrows.It digs up simple burrows in grassland,bushy area and in fields and farms.
* Behaviour
Though it usually walks slowly,it can walk faster, if necessary.It is terrestrial ,but it can also swim in water.In danger,it rolls out and turns into thorny ball. Young are produced in holes.
* Signs of presence
Grunt and hissing sound from a disturbed hadge hog indicates its presence.
* Population
It was once very common,but population declined during recent years.
Very conscious of security
The Indian headhog is very alert for its safety. His body structure is also suitable for self-defense. According to experts, there are thorns on the body of this rat to avoid any attack. This rat can run fast and dig up to seven feet under the ground to hide. The tamarind mice ask for only two or three centimeters.
Food makes insects
The tamarisk rat often feeds insects. For example, this creature also eats beetles, frogs, toads, bird eggs, small snakes and scorpions. Apart from this, it also makes food for the stomach to feed on the roots and grains of the crops. The existence of this rat is found for the first time in Chambal Zone.
Comments
Post a Comment