The Amur hedgehog

An Amur hedgehog cub is seen in the woods in Bijia Mountain, Futian District. Photos by Isaac Cohen

The Amur hedgehog

The Amur hedgehog (Erinaceus amurensis) is a fascinating creature that inhabits various regions from Russia to lowland China, including Shenzhen.

东北刺猬（远东刺猬）是一种原产于俄罗斯及中国低海拔地区的哺乳动物，深圳可见。

The small mammal measures around 25 centimeters in length. Thesharp spines, brown or black and covering its rounded body, not only serve as a protective defense mechanism against predators, but also provide excellent camouflage in the hedgehog’s natural habitats.

体长约25厘米，全身具棕或黑色棘刺。这些棘刺不仅能保护它们免受天敌捕食，还是极好的伪装，能让它们与周遭环境融为一体。

Primarily an insectivore, the Amur hedgehogfeeds on various invertebrates, such as beetles, worms, slugs and snails.

东北刺猬属食虫动物，主要捕食以甲虫、蠕虫、蛞蝓和蜗牛等无脊椎动物。

An Amur hedgehog cub is seen in the woods in Bijia Mountain, Futian District. 

Its reproductive season usually occurs during the summer months, when females give birth to a litter of up to six hoglets after a gestation period of a month or so. These adorable hoglets are born blind with soft spines that gradually harden. The mother hedgehog provides care and protection for her young until they are old enough to venture independently.

它们通常在夏季繁殖，雌性妊娠期达一个月，每窝产崽可达6只。幼崽出生时十分脆弱，目不能视，身上仅具透明的软刺，随着年龄的增长，棘刺的硬度也逐渐增强。幼崽在具备独立生存的能力之前，都会受到母亲无微不至的照顾。

These fascinating creatures are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. They are solitary animals that prefer to live alone, only coming together for mating purposes. Their excellent sense of smell helps them locate prey and navigate their surroundings. When threatened or alarmed, they curl into a tight ball, exposing only their spines.

东北刺猬昼伏夜出，大部分时间单独行动，仅在繁殖期成对活动。它们的视力不佳，主要通过嗅觉探查周遭情况，寻找猎物。遭受威胁时则会把身体蜷缩成一个刺球，让天敌无从下口。

The Amur hedgehog plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. As insectivores, they help control the population of various invertebrates, preventing outbreaks that can harm plants and other animals. They also consume fruits and aid in seed dispersal, contributing to the growth and diversity of plant species.

东北刺猬在维护生态平衡中扮演着重要的角色：通过捕食大量昆虫，它们有效地控制了生境中无脊椎动物的种群数量，避免某一物种因为缺乏天敌制约而大量孳生，从而对所处环境的生态产生不利影响。由于它们也取食果实，也是植物种子重要的传播媒介。

The Amur hedgehog has been observed in Shenzhen, although it is uncertain whether it was recently introduced or has become a resident species. The presence of more than three individuals suggests that this resilientanimal is adapting to thelocal urban environments and thriving in sheltered areas within our city. By preserving their habitats, we can ensure the long-term survival of this species and maintain the balance of our ecosystem.

虽然深圳有远东刺猬的出没记录，但被观察到的个体究竟是逃逸的宠物，还是本土刺猬种群中的一员，仍有待商榷。一般来说，只有同时观察到三只以上的个体，我们才会认定本物种已经适应了当地的环境，能够繁殖并形成稳定的种群。所以我们更应该保护好它们的栖息地，让它们得以在这座城市中繁衍生息，并继续扮演维系生态平衡的卫士。