Arabian hedgehogs at Sharjah

SHARJAH - After four years of searching and a year's liasion with the Scientific Centre, Kuwait, the Arabian Wildlife Centre in Sharjah has managed to complete its collection of the Arabian hedgehogs.

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By Zaigham Ali Mirza

Published: Sun 16 Feb 2003, 2:47 AM

Last updated: Thu 4 Jul 2024, 2:55 PM

Until now, the Centre had breeding groups of Ethiopian and Brandt hedgehogs.

Endemic to the peninsular region, the long-eared hedgehog is distributed only over Bahrain, along the Gulf shores of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, from where it spreads over a wider habitat into Iraq, Syria and Jordan.

The species is slightly smaller than the other two types of hedgehogs found in the region and is similar in appearance to the Ethiopian hedgehog, except for the parting between the quills on its forehead.

Contrary to popular belief, the long-eared hedgehog's ears are relatively smaller, but since their quills are shorter, the ears appear to be longer.

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Paul Vercammen, Operations Manager for Animal Management Consultancy (AMC), flew to Kuwait and personally collected the rare hedgehogs, that travelled with him as hand luggage.

The pair is currently housed at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife and will be on display for the public at the centre once they have gone through their quarantine period.

Zaigham Ali Mirza

Published: Sun 16 Feb 2003, 2:47 AM

Last updated: Thu 4 Jul 2024, 2:55 PM

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