Atelerix

Atelerix is a genus of hedgehog in the family Erinaceidae. It contains four species, all native to Africa.

Species

 * Four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
 * North African hedgehog (Atelerix algirus)
 * Southern African hedgehog (Atelerix frontalis)
 * Somali hedgehog (Atelerix sclateri)

The Atelerix diversified from its family because of geographical isolation during Pleistocene climate changes. This being a type of vicariance separation from the Niger River. This allowed the Erinaceidane family to be more diverse.