Hedgehog

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The east-European hedgehog belongs to the erinaceidae family in the erinaceomorpha order. It is commonly recognized by the pointy thorns on its back, its brown-grey skin and thorns color and the pointy nose. It is differed from the other hedgehog species that are found around this area (long-eared hedgehog and desert hedgehog) by its smaller ears and dark-brown skin color. The East-European hedgehog is nocturnal and feeds of non-flying insects up to the size of grasshoppers, it is able to eat up to 20% of its body weight (around 500 grams) per night. During the day it will hide in thick bushes, under rock-shelves or under dense pile of leaves. 
The hedgehog is a common mammal and is well known in urban areas and therefore under constant threats by human activity in one hand and in the other hand is used, through education, as model animal for conservation of wildlife in urban areas. In cold climates, in times of food shortage, it can go into short periods of hibernation that can hold up to a few days. The east-European hedgehog can be found all around the Mediterranean region in natural habitats and close to human residence. It is abundant from Asian turkey to northwestern Iran and the Caucasus mountains in the north to Mediterranean Palestine in the south and the Greek island of Rhodes.

Conservation status- least concern.

Sites: Beitillu, Umm at-Tut, Wadi Al-Quff nature reserves