Eastern European Hedgehog
Encyclopedia
The Southern White-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor), sometimes referred to as East European Hedgehog, White-bellied Hedgehog or White-chested Hedgehog, is very similar in lifestyle and appearance to the European Hedgehog
, but the former has a white spot on its chest. For a long time these two species were considered to be one. The Northern White-breasted Hedgehog
was formerly recognized as a subspecies of the Southern White-breasted Hedgehog but newer investigations see both as different species. The Southern White-breasted Hedgehog and European Hedgehog can hybridize.
Unlike its European counterpart, the Southern White-breasted Hedgehog never digs dens. It prefers building grass nests in secluded places.
European Hedgehog
The European Hedgehog , Common hedgehog or just Hedgehog in the anglophone parts of Europe, is a hedgehog species found in northern and western Europe. It is about 20 to 30 cm in length. Adult mass typically ranges from 600 to up to 1,200 g ; occasionally, it may reach as much as...
, but the former has a white spot on its chest. For a long time these two species were considered to be one. The Northern White-breasted Hedgehog
Northern White-breasted Hedgehog
The Northern White-breasted Hedgehog is a species of hedgehog.The range of the species extends in the west as far as Poland, Austria and the former Yugoslavia, and south to Greece and the Adriatic Islands, including populations on Crete, Corfu and Rhodes. It is found eastwards through Russia and...
was formerly recognized as a subspecies of the Southern White-breasted Hedgehog but newer investigations see both as different species. The Southern White-breasted Hedgehog and European Hedgehog can hybridize.
Unlike its European counterpart, the Southern White-breasted Hedgehog never digs dens. It prefers building grass nests in secluded places.