Tamil Comic Brings India’s Little-Known Madras Hedgehog Into Focus

The Madras hedgehog is a small, spiny animal found in parts of southern India.

It lives mainly in dry scrubland.

Many people have never heard of it or seen it.

A Tamil comic called Mullikkaattu Ithigaasam teaches children about the hedgehog and why its habitat matters.

The animal curls into a ball when it feels threatened.

This protects it from some predators, but not from cars.

Researchers have found road deaths and other threats, including habitat loss and hunting.

Scientists still do not know how many Madras hedgehogs are left.

The animal is officially classified as Least Concern, while new studies and conservation efforts are trying to learn more.