The Common Hedgehog Is Now on the IUCN Red List. What About the Belorussian Hedgehog?
Introduction
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has added the common hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) to its Red List of Threatened Species. This is a major concern, as the common hedgehog is one of the most widespread and well-known mammals in Europe.
What is the IUCN Red List?
The IUCN Red List is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. It uses a set of criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies.
Why is the Common Hedgehog on the Red List?
The common hedgehog has been added to the Red List because its population has declined by more than 50% over the past 10 years. This decline is due to a number of factors, including habitat loss, fragmentation, and road traffic.
Habitat loss is a major threat to the common hedgehog. As human populations grow, natural habitats are being destroyed or degraded. This makes it difficult for hedgehogs to find food and shelter.
Habitat fragmentation is another threat to the common hedgehog. When natural habitats are divided into smaller and smaller pieces, it makes it more difficult for hedgehogs to move around and find mates.
Road traffic is also a major threat to the common hedgehog. Hedgehogs are often killed by cars as they cross roads.
What is the Status of the Belorussian Hedgehog?
The belorussian hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus) is a subspecies of the common hedgehog that is found in Belarus and neighboring countries.
The belorussian hedgehog is not currently listed on the IUCN Red List, but it is considered to be a vulnerable species. This is because the belorussian hedgehog has a relatively small population and is threatened by the same factors that are threatening the common hedgehog.
Conclusion
The addition of the common hedgehog to the IUCN Red List is a major concern. This species is an important part of the European ecosystem, and its decline is a sign that our planet is in trouble.
