Albino Hedgehog Found in Szeged

A Hungarian family found an unusual visitor in their yard, a hedgehog with snow white spines and fur.

The encounter took place in Szeged, Hungary, and it was the family’s dog that found the spiny mammal. The animal is currently taken care of at the Szeged Zoo, and as Róbert Veprik, the director informed hvg.hu, it is feeling very well among the other hedgehogs.

Albinism is an inherited character which affects all vertebrates, including humans. Animals with albinism are rarely found, as they lack their protective carmouflage, and are unable to conceal themselves from their predators or prey. Therefore, the survival rate of albino animals are much higher in captivity, partly because of the protected environment.

In this season, hedgehogs are common guests in yards and near roads, but what should we do when meeting one? Experts say that we should not take them into our houses, as they carry parasites and might infect our homes. We sould avoid keeping non-domesticated hedgehogs as pets for another reason as well: the species native to Hungary (Erinaceus roumanicus) is protected, and anyone who keeps them in their home is violating an environmental protection law.

Therefore, the best thing you can do when you find a hedgehog is to leave it where it is, or take it to the vet for an examination, to make sure it is not injured.

based on article of hvg.hu and vaol.hu
translated by Laura Kocsis

Photo: MTI – Zoltan Gergely Kelemen

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