Five new species of soft-furred hedgehogs found in South East Asia

Lead author Dr Arlo Hinckley said the findings “highlight that even in well-studied animal groups like mammals, there are still discoveries waiting to be made”.

The other three new species – which were formerly considered to be subspecies of Hylomys suillus but have now been elevated to species in their own right – are named H. dorsalis, H. Maxi, and H. peguensis.

H. dorsalis hedgehogs are found in the mountains of Northern Borneo while H. maxi hedgehogs are found in the mountains of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.

Both are around 14cm long, but H. dorsalis have a conspicuous dark strike that begins on their heads and reaches the middle of their bodies.

The H. peguensis species is smaller, typically measuring around 13cm (5in) in length, and has slightly more yellow fur than the other species.

It is found in numerous countries in South East Asia, especially Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.

Each of the five species are active during the day and night and like all other species of hedgehogs, are omnivores – probably eating a mixture of insects and other invertebrates as well as some fruits, as and when they can.

Dr Hinckley said: “Based on field observations and the lifestyles of their close relatives, these hedgehogs likely nest in hollows and take cover while foraging among tree roots, fallen logs, rocks, grassy areas, undergrowth, and leaf litter.

“But, because they are so understudied, we are limited to speculate about the details of their natural history.”