THE HEDGEHOG 

 Erinaoeus sethiopicus, Hempr. and Ehr. 



Somali name, Hedig 



Description. — This hedgehog looks very much like the 

 European hedgehog. From the nape of the neck to the tail 

 the body is completely covered with short sharp spines which 

 are banded black and white. The muzzle and head are black 

 except for a broad white frontal band which passes right round 

 the head like a collar. The four feet are black. 



Measurements in the flesh of a male and a female specimen 

 captured on the maritime plain were as follows : 



<? ? 



Head and body . . .212 mm. 215 mm. 



Tail ...... 20 „ 20 „ 



Hindfoot 28 „ 27 „ 



Ear 24 „ 23 „ 



Distribution. — This little hedgehog is very common on 

 the maritime plain, and more or less common all over Somaliland. 



Habits. — Similar to all other hedgehogs. When attacked 

 it rolls itself into a ball and makes a peculiar noise, not unlike 

 the throbbing of a miniature engine. Periodically it gives vent 

 to a sort of half grunt, half bark sound. Its diet is probably 

 wholly insectivorous, although it is frequently found in gardens. 

 The Somalis are rather superstitious about hedgehogs, never 

 killing or injuring them, as they consider they are stars which 

 have fallen from the heavens, hence the vernacular name " Hedig," 

 which means "a star." 



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