The Indian Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus collaris) is a relatively small hedgehog

Hedgehog

A hedgehog is any of the spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae and the order Erinaceomorpha. There are 17 species of hedgehog in five genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand . There are no hedgehogs native to Australia, and no living species native to the Americas...

 (~17 cm, 200-500 grams) native to India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

 and Pakistan

Pakistan

Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...

. It is insectivorous and nocturnal.

Description

The Indian Long-eared Hedgehog is a nocturnal animal that is often found inhabiting borrows. Similar to most Hedgehogs is has spines on its back, embedded into a muscle sheath. This sheath forms a bag like structure that the animal can hide inside for protection. It can also erect its spines to further protect from predators. The Indian Long-eared Hedgehog has a well developed set of senses because of its large ears, eyes and whiskers near its snout. These senses, especially smell, help them find food and or a possible partner.

Diet

The Indian Long-eared Hedgehog is insectivorous, feeding on small insects. Because of their arid desert habitat they often receive most of the water they need from their food supply.

Distribution

The Indian Long-eared Hedgehog is found in Pakistan (North West Frontier Province, Punjab and Sindh) and India (Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The Indian Long-eared hedgehog experiences extreme heat in the months of May and June and very cold weather in December and January.

Reproduction

This species of hedgehog are seasonal breeders. The males are active from March to August while the females are active from April to August.
The Indian Long-eared Hedgehog is notable for a quite complex mating ritual that involves "dancing" around females for several days before mating.