An Ethiopian hedgehog or desert hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus) rests in a garden in the United Arab Emirates

by Priscilla van Andel

Abaset is speculated to be a goddess of protection- due to the paraechinus aethiopicus, or the desert hedgehog, she wears upon her head. There’s not a lot known about this goddess but we can make speculations based off the tomb of Ba-n ntyw. They believe that she has connections to Re and of Osiris/Asar. She perhaps has relation to rebirth, as hedgehogs may have been an offering during the season of Peret as a symbol of rebirth; along with the evidence of a man carried a cage with a hedgehog, in the tomb depiction, to symbolize rebirth.

Because there is a lot unknown about this goddess it’s hard to say what specific signs and offerings would be acceptable. Hedgehogs in the area may be a sign from her. As for offerings, I would suggest the typical historical offerings, such as bread, water, wine, and incense.

Image from: https://egyptcentrecollectionblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/abaset-prickly-goddess.html?m=1

If you want a reading from this goddess or feel like she’s reaching out to you, I would love to do a reading for you. My etsy shop is SinfullyDivination but you can also access available readings at SinfullyDivination.weebly.com

Mammals have Three hedgehog homologues–the Desert hedgehog homolog, named after Paraechinus aethiopicus, the Indian hedgehog homolog, named after Paraechinus micropus, and the most famous hedgehog homolog...Sonic hedgehog.

They found a potential inhibitor of the SHH–you know what it’s called?

Robotnikinin.

YOOOOO !!!!!

Where’d I you get you fluffy hedgehogs? Or what kind are they if they aren’t African Pygmy hedgehogs. I love their coloring and would be very interested in getting one!

You’re probably talking about my desert hedgehogs (Paraechinus aethiopicus). They’re very rare in captivity, mine are originally from Egypt and were supposed to go to an animal park which fell through at the last minute so I was lucky to be able to get them!

UNA BOLA ERIZADA DE PINCHOS

UNA BOLA ERIZADA DE PINCHOS

LA ESPECIE MÁS CONOCIDA ES EL ERIZO EUROPEO ( ERINACEUS EUROPAEUS ) Y, APARTE DE OTRAS CUATRO ESPECIES DEL GÉNERO ERINACEUS, ESTÁN LOS ERIZOS DE OREJAS LARGAS ( HEMIECHINUS AURITUS Y H. MEGALOTIS ), QUE SE DISTINGUEN POR SUS GRANDES PABELLONES AURICULARES Y QUE VIVEN EN UNA FAJA DE TERRENO QUE COMPRENDE EGIPTO, INDIA Y CHINA Y LOS ERIZOS DEL DESIERTO ( PARAECHINUS AETHIOPICUS ), CARACTERIZADOS…

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Harry Potter and the comparative gastrointestinal morphology of Jaculus jaculus (Rodentia) and Paraechinus aethiopicus (Erinaceomorpha)

Harry Potter and the comparative gastrointestinal morphology of Jaculus jaculus (Rodentia) and Paraechinus aethiopicus (Erinaceomorpha)

— Potter Papers (@PotterPapers) July 6, 2019

Thor & Sif are a pair of desert hedgehogs (Paraechinus aethiopicus). For a more extensive introduction to them see today's other posts. For more information on their species, see below.

The desert hedgehog is sometimes known as the Ethiopian hedgehog, despite that country only making up a very small part of their range which covers the western part of North Africa, the Nile basin and the entire Arabian peninsula. The desert hedgehog is, like its name suggest, well adapted to life in the desert. They have very long legs allowing them to travel long distances and they can withstand the harsh temperature differences in the desert and go for weeks without food. Their ears are very long and their auditory bullae (the hollow bone part enclosing the middle and inner ear) is bigger than that of any other hedgehog species, suggesting a very keen sense of hearing which likely helps them locate prey at night under the sand.

The desert hedgehog is an avid hunter and they mainly prey on invertebrates such as scorpions and centipedes. They also eat carrion and small animals including rodents and snakes. During the day they sleep in burrows but they are known to bask in the sun, most likely to warm up after a cold desert night. In winter they hibernate and the mating season starts in spring.

My first impression of this species so far is them being very friendly, curious and inquisitive (much more so than the pygmy hedgehogs) with a high prey drive and a high activity level. In this they appear to be more similar to the long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) but without the aggression and nippy-ness the LEs have a reputation of. I'm really happy I get to work with this species and very eager to learn more about them!

I'm very excited to finally introduce Thor! For an introduction to his 'wife' Sif and some more information on the species see today's other posts.

Thor is a desert hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus), originally from Egypt. This pair was supposed to go to an animal park but after that fell through they found their way to me. This species is rare in captivity and there isn't much information on them, but so far they have been lovely and are a joy to watch!

The pair has been here for a couple weeks now but the reason I haven't posted about them is because of quarantine and some health issues (mainly with Sif). Initially I was thinking of deviating from my Norse mythology theme to give them an Egyptian name, but I found myself calling this little guy Thor - it just seemed to suit him! This hedgehog has so much character for his little body: he really seems to think he can take on the entire world! Nothing can contain him as long as no one's watching... and he's extremely active all the time. No matter the time of day, if you call out or tap on the glass of his enclosure he'll come running on his hilariously long legs to check you out.

On top of that he is also very sweet and lets me pet his face and belly. Other than some scaly bald spots on his legs (which I got some ointment for) he seems very healthy. He has been treated against parasites and got a much needed scrub this week to get the dirt and the ointment off.

I can't wait to share more of this funny little guy and I'm sure he'll steal your heart just like he stole mine!

For more pictures & videos see my Facebook and Instagram.

And last but not least, the lovely Sif! For an introduction to her 'husband' Thor and some more information on the species see today's other posts.

Sif is a desert hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus), originally from Egypt. This pair was supposed to go to an animal park but after that fell through they found their way to me. This species is rare in captivity and there isn't much information on them, but so far they have been lovely and are a joy to watch!

The pair has been here for a couple weeks now but the reason I haven't posted about them is because of quarantine and some health issues. She has been having a rough time but is finally recovering. When I got her she was caked in mud and she had a respiratory infection which initially didn't respond to medication.

We tried out various meds but her condition worsened and she wasn't eating so I had to syringe feed her. Fortunately she took her meds and food like a champ and without much of a fuss! After multiple vet trips she finally started responding to two different antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. As part of her treatment I started taking showers together with her (of course without getting her wet) so she could breathe in the steam.

Finally after more than two weeks she started eating on her own! At first she was only interested in moving food, maybe because her sense of smell wasn't great yet and she was reacting to the movement. But soon she started eating from her bowl and has been doing much better overall!

Since she was getting better I could finally give her a much needed scrub, which showed her beautiful golden colour. Sif is a bit more shy than Thor but she is very sweet and is showing herself to be an avid hunter. I'm hoping to see more of her true nature when she is fully recovered!