SOUTH AFRICAN HEDGEHOG 29 



Family ERINACEID^. 



This is a small family of little insectivorous and planti- 

 grade animals with a small brain case, and possessing — 

 with the exception of the single genus Gymnura from 

 Malaysia — a projecting coat of short, strong and sharp 

 spines. The claws are of simple structure, and the tail 

 is short. 



There is only one other genus — Erinaceus — inhabiting 

 the Palaearctic, Oriental, and Ethiopean regions. In the 

 latter region six species are supposed to exist, only one 

 of which is found in South Africa. 



Erinaceus frontalis, L. South African Hedgeliog. Krinqj 



Ijzervarkie or Ijgeltje. 



The upper portion of the body is covered with sharp 

 spines about J inch long ; these are white, with a sub- 

 terminal black or dark brown band and a paler tip. Head 

 dark brown or blackish, with a white band across the 

 face. Below coated with coarse hair, and of a mottled or 

 grizzled grey-brown or white and brown colour. Five 

 toes to both fore and hind feet, all of which are furnished 

 with light claws. Length of head and body from 6 inches 

 to 7i inches ; tail, h inch. 



This little animal is said to be rare in Natal and 

 uncommon in the Karroo and south of the Orange River, 

 but I have found it common enough around Brandfort, in 

 the Orange Free State ; at Modderfontein, near Johannes- 

 burg ; and in the neighbourhood of Pretoria, where it 

 may be found amongst the plantations and scrub on the 

 ridges and in the valleys. It feeds upon insects, chiefly 

 grasshoppers and beetles, the larvae of various insects, 

 slugs, snails, worms, lizards, Sec. It is amusing to listen 



