A small, spiny mammal native to parts of northeast Asia, including eastern Russia, northeastern China, and the Korean Peninsula. It belongs to the same family as the European hedgehog and shares many similar traits, but it’s uniquely adapted to the colder climates of its range. With its round body, short legs, and coat of sharp spines covering its back, the Amur hedgehog is well equipped for defense — curling into a tight ball when threatened, making it almost impossible for predators to attack its soft underside.

This species is typically brownish-gray, with a lighter-colored face and underbelly. Its spines are brown or cream-tipped, forming a natural camouflage that helps it blend into grassy fields, woodlands, and forest edges.

The Amur hedgehog is nocturnal, meaning it’s active at night, spending most of its time foraging for food under the cover of darkness. It is an omnivore, eating a varied diet of insects, worms, snails, berries, mushrooms, and sometimes even small reptiles or bird eggs. Its keen sense of smell helps it locate food, and it uses its strong little feet and snout to dig through soil and leaf litter.

What makes the Amur hedgehog especially interesting is its ability to survive in harsh, cold climates. When winter arrives, it goes into hibernation, curling up in a nest made from leaves, grass, or other vegetation, where it can sleep for several months until temperatures rise again. This hibernation period helps it conserve energy when food is scarce. During warmer seasons, it stays in burrows, underbrush, or hollow logs to stay cool and hidden from predators.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

China

2016

Korea

2016

North Korea

2016

Russia

2016