The Allure of the African Hedgehog - An In Depth study

Article Summary

This article examines the biology, behavior, and captive management of African hedgehogs belonging to the genus Atelerix. The study provides an overview of species classification, geographical distribution, environmental requirements, social behavior, acoustic communication, reproductive biology, maternal care, anatomical characteristics, and the phenomenon of self-anointing. Drawing upon published scientific literature and observational evidence from captive populations, the article adopts a descriptive and analytical approach to synthesize current knowledge regarding the species’ ecological and behavioral traits. Particular attention is given to factors influencing welfare in captivity, including temperature regulation, housing conditions, nutrition, and stress management. The work also discusses aspects of legislation, longevity, health concerns, and breeding practices. By consolidating biological and husbandry-related information, the article contributes to a broader understanding of African hedgehogs and provides a useful reference for researchers, veterinarians, breeders, and animal-care practitioners.

Publisher’s Note
This work is published by the Catholic Open University – Research & Study Center as part of its Research and Publishing Program. All published materials undergo editorial review to ensure academic integrity, originality, and compliance with ethical research and publishing standards. Each publication is assigned a persistent digital identifier (DOI) to support long-term accessibility, citation, and global scholarly dissemination.

Availability

Official article page:

https://www.catholicopenuniversity.org/articles/african-hedgehog-study

Catholic Open University Digital Library:

https://www.catholicopenuniversity.org/publications