The Daurian hedgehog (Mesechinus dauuricus) is a solitary small hedgehog.[2] It is listed in the Red book of Russian Federation as a protected species with an unclear status, generally considered to be endangered, although the IUCN lists it as "least concern". It populates the Transbaikal region of Russia (this region is sometimes called Dauria, hence the name) and Northern Mongolia. It lives in dens and inhabits both forests and steppes. The steppes consists mainly of grassland plains and scrublands. The Daurian hedgehog actively select scrublands and rocky areas, perhaps for greater cover and concealment from predators. This species of hedgehogs are known to occupy larger home ranges than other hedgehog species.[3] The adult Daurian hedgehog is 15 to 20 centimeters long and weighs up to 1 kilogram (usually around 600 grams). Most live up to six years in nature. Like most hedgehog species in temperate regions, the Daurian hibernates during the winter.
| Daurian hedgehog | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Erinaceidae |
| Genus: | Mesechinus |
| Species: | M. dauuricus
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| Binomial name | |
| Mesechinus dauuricus (Sundevall, 1842)
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| The distribution of the Daurian hedgehog | |
After introduction and extensive use of pesticides in mid-1960s, the Russian population of the Daurian hedgehog suffered a major loss. Since that time, the species seems to have had a modest recovery, although the population has not yet returned to its original size. Currently, it seems to be moving northwards and closer to cities due to more abundant food, less danger from agricultural activities and newfound human tolerance for their presence. Cases of successfully starting new populations by artificially moving several adults to new areas have been reported. Due to the low population density of the region the complete status of this species is unclear.
References edit
- ^ Stubbe, M.; Samiya, R.; Ariunbold, J.; Buuveibaatar, V.; Dorjderem, S.; Monkhzul, Ts.; Otgonbaatar, M.; Tsogbadrakh, M. & Tsytsulina, K. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Mesechinus dauuricus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T40612A115175251. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T40612A22325286.en.
- ^ Hutterer, R. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 216. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Zapletal, Mirka; Sodnompil, Batdorj; Atwood, Jonathan L.; Murdoch, James D.; Reading, Richard P. (March 2015). "Fine-scale habitat use by Daurian hedgehogs in the Gobi-steppe of Mongolia". Journal of Arid Environments. 114: 100–103. Bibcode:2015JArEn.114..100Z. doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2014.11.010.
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