Atelerix frontalis (A.Smith, 1831)

Nomenclature

This species is the Southern African hedgehog, with the scientific name Atelerix frontalis (A.Smith, 1831).

Spine Characteristics

Their entire bodies are covered in sharp spines, except for the face, belly, and ears, which are covered in fur instead. Each spine is made of keratin protein, has a hollow shaft, and is connected to its own individual muscle.

Coloration

This hedgehog is mostly dark brown overall; its spines are usually white at the base and dark brown at the tip, and it has a pointed snout. Its belly is typically either white or brown.

Size and Weight

Fully grown adult males have an average mass of 350 g (12 oz), and the species has an average body length of approximately 20 cm (7.9 in).

Distinguishing Marking

A key distinguishing feature of this species is a white stripe across its forehead, which usually stretches from one side of the head to the other.

Activity Pattern

Southern African hedgehogs are nocturnal.

Habitat Preference

They can live in most types of environments, but they prefer drier grasslands and Bushveld with ample covering from leaves and other debris.

Daytime Behavior

They spend most of the day hidden under leaf cover, bushes, or in holes, only emerging at night to feed.

Sleeping Site Habits

They change their sleeping sites daily, with the only exceptions being semi-permanent nests used for wintering or breeding.

Geographic Distribution

This hedgehog is found across southern Africa, occurring in two separate geographic ranges: a western range that includes Angola and Namibia, and an eastern range that includes South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Confirmed countries where the species is found also include Malawi.

Home Range

Individual Southern African hedgehogs typically have a home range that extends 200–300 meters from their living site, which is most often a hole in the ground.

Social Behavior

Solitary by nature, they change resting sites almost daily. The only exception is females rearing young, who stay in a more permanent residency for a period.

Mating Season

Mating season for Southern African hedgehogs typically occurs in summer.

Gestation and Birth Period

Gestation lasts approximately 35 days (around one month), so young are most often born between October and March.

Litter Size

Litter sizes range from 1 to 11 newborns, with an average of four young per litter.

Newborn Characteristics

Newborn hedgehogs weigh around 10 g (0.35 oz) at birth. They are born naked, blind, and already have soft infant spines.

Spine Development

These infant spines are typically shed when the young are one month old, after which they grow their permanent adult spines.

Juvenile Development

Young hedgehogs open their eyes about two weeks after birth, and begin foraging alongside their mother at around six weeks of age.

Breeding Frequency

Southern African hedgehogs can breed multiple times in a single year.

Sexual Maturity

Baby hedgehogs reach sexual maturity between 61 and 68 days of age.

Parental Care

Males do not participate in raising the young.