110 



A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



(114) THE SOUTH-INDIAN HEDGEHOG. 



(EEINACEUS MICEOPUS— Blyth.) 



It is distinguished from the preceding species by having a naked 

 furrow in the middle line of the head, thus dividing the spines into two 

 groups and also by its pale colour. 



Hab. — Plains of Southern India. 



(115) THE COMMON HEDGEHOG. 

 (EEINACEUS EUEOP^US— Linn.) 



Hab. — The common hedgehog inhabits almost the whole of Europe 

 excepting the northern countries. Its eastern limit is as far as the 

 Caucasus. 



Length of life in captivity. 



Of the Indian species one lived for about eighteen months. This 

 cannot, however, be said to have been the maximum period of a 

 hedgehog's life in the garden, as some of those that had been turned 

 loose could occasionally be seen long after they had been set at liberty. 



Treatment in health. 



As most of the Indian species inhabit the driest regions of the 

 country, these animals are not likely, unless kept in a dry place, to 

 thrive in the damp climate of Lower Bengal. Several methods 

 of housing them have been tried. Perhaps the most effective was a 

 wire cage, with plank bottom, raised about three feet off the ground; 

 and as it formed one of a series built under a substantial shed, it 

 was perfectly protected from moisture : the animal remained hidden 

 under the thick straw bedding during the day. As other specimens 

 were obtained, the plan of giving them an opportunity to burrow 

 and live in comparative freedom was tried. In a well-drained spot, 

 a masonry enclosure, 10 feet long, 5 feet broad, and about 4 

 feet deep, with solid brick-on-edge bottom, was prepared and filled 

 up with earth ; a wire cage placed over the whole and a number 

 of hedgehogs put in. This was in winter, and for some months their 

 appearance and habits indicated nothing but the success of the 

 experiment. They came regularly out of their burrow every evening 

 to feed and looked very lively and quite at home. During the rains, 

 however, the earth in the masonry tank became saturated with 

 moisture, and the creatures looked very dull and were less regular 

 in attendance at their meals. One wet morning after a showery night 

 the earth was found to have sunk considerably, burying some of the 

 hedgehogs under the mud. Another batch of hedgehogs was turned 

 altogether loose. These lived for some time and enjoyed their freedom. 

 Some of them would show themselves of an evening close to the spot 

 where they had been originally placed. 



