A new species of hedgehog stands out for its short spikes
Small, dark and adorable, the eastern forest hedgehog brings the species count to 19
![Mesechinus orienta hedgehog](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/120723_mt_hedgehog_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
This hedgehog, spotted in China’s Anhui province, is a member of the newly identified species Mesechinus orientalis.
Z. Shi et al/ZooKeys 2023