The bare-bellied hedgehog (Paraechinus nudiventris), also known as the Madras hedgehog, is a species of hedgehog that is endemic to dry arid regions and scrubby jungles in southeastern India.[2] As it was believed to be rare, it was formerly listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. It is now known to be locally common in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, resulting in its new listing as a species of Least Concern.[3] Hedgehogs are protected species under schedule IV of Wildlife Protection Act (1972).[4][5]
| Bare-bellied hedgehog | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Erinaceidae |
| Genus: | Paraechinus |
| Species: | P. nudiventris
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| Binomial name | |
| Paraechinus nudiventris (Horsfield, 1851)
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| Distribution of bare-bellied hedgehog[1] | |
It was also found in Kottayam and Palakkad districts of Kerala.
Madras hedgehogs are hunted locally in India for subsistence food and medicinal purposes. They are wildly perceived to be a cure for tuberculosis and asthma, as well as offer relief against coughs.
Characteristics
editThe bare-bellied hedgehog has a head to body length 14–25 cm (5.5–9.8 in), a short tail of 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in), and weighs 310–435 g (10.9–15.3 oz). It reaches sexual maturity in about 10 months and gives birth to 4-6 young per litter.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Chakraborty, S.; Srinivasulu, C.; Molur, S. (2017). "Paraechinus nudiventris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T39594A22326706. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T39594A22326706.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ 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. 217. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Majumdar, Meghna (26 February 2021). "Meet the Madras hedgehog". The Hindu.
- ^ "Hedgehog seized from house". The Hindu. 27 December 2015.
- ^ Oppili, P. (20 August 2020). "Madras hedgehogs tickle fancy of Chennai's pet traders | Chennai News". The Times of India.
Cheruvat, Dinesan; Radhakrishnan, C. and Muhamed Jafer Palot. 2006. Handbook on Mammals of Kerala : 1–154. (Published by the Director, ZooL Surv. India, Kolkata)
Pradesh, U. (2016). Medicinal uses and trade of Madras HedgehogsParaechinus nudiventris in Tamil Nadu, India. Traffic Bulletin, 28(1), 7.
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