| Brandt's Hedgehog | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Range | Middle East and Middle Asia. |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Eulipotyphla |
| Family | Erinaceidae |
| Genus | Paraechinus |
| Species | Paraechinus hypomelas |
| Conservation Status | |
 Least Concern | |
The Brandt's hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas), is a species of hedgehog native to the Middle East and Middle Asia. Brandt's hedgehog is approximately the size of the European hedgehog (about 500–1,000 g in weight and 25 cm in length), but has distinctively large ears similar to the long-eared hedgehog and is a much faster runner due to lighter (but still superior to the Long-eared Hedgehog) needle protection. It is a fast runner, but, unlike the Long-eared Hedgehog, predominantly nocturnal and uses cuddling tactic more often, although still employing "jumping" attack.
Brandt's hedgehog prefers arid desert areas and mountains. It often uses natural shelter, although it is still capable of digging dens when absolutely needed. It hibernates during colder weather.
It is named after (and by) Johann Friedrich von Brandt, a director of the Zoological Department at the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences.