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| | Iranica.com - HEDGEHOG (kòa@r-poæt, juja-tig@i, ±ula) |
 | | HEDGEHOG (kòa@r-poæt, juja-tig@i, ±ula), member of the Erinaceinae sub-family of the Erinaceidae family of insectivores; animals the size of a small rabbit, the hairs of the upper body of which are modified and clumped to form stiff, sharp spines. |
 | | A sheet of muscle beneath the skin of the back keeps these spines erect and also allows the animal to roll into a defensive ball, thus protecting its head, limbs, tail, and belly from attack. |
 | | Hooshang Ziaie, A Field Guide to the Mammals of Iran, Tehran, 1996. |
| www.iranica.com /articles/v12f2/v12f2005.html (936 words) |
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