 Two species of hedgehogs, the Daurian hedgehog and the long-eared hedgehog, inhabit Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in Mongolia. The former species had not been previously reported in this area and has never been studied prior to this research. Both species are listed as Threatened by The World Conservation Union (IUCN) but are classified as lower risk.
The goal of this research is to learn how these two similar insectivores are able to co-exist in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve without competing over resources. Data is being collected on their habitat use, prey species, and movement patterns.
In addition to capturing hedgehogs by hand, researchers have inadvertently captured hedgehogs in soft leg hold traps while trapping small carnivores for another study. The animals are given a thorough physical exam, sexed, measured, and weighed, and provided with a radio transmitters.
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