Dwarf gymnure

Taxonomy

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Eulipotyphla
Family:	Erinaceidae
Genus:	Hylomys
Species:	Hylomys parvus

Not a ‘real’ hedgehog

Although the Dwarf Gymnure belongs to the same family as true hedgehogs (Erinaceidae), it is part of the subfamily Galericinae, which includes animals commonly called hairy hedgehogs or gymnures. Like their spiny relatives, they are nocturnal insectivores with strong senses of smell and hearing, and they raise their young in hidden nests. However, unlike real hedgehogs, Dwarf Gymnures have no spines, cannot curl into a ball, and have a more shrew-like body with coarse fur and a short tail. Their appearance and behavior are more similar to small rodents or shrews, even though they are closely related to hedgehogs.

Natural range & habitat

The Dwarf Gymnure is endemic to central Vietnam, where it lives in montane evergreen forests at elevations around 1,200–1,800 meters. It prefers dense undergrowth and moist soil, often near streams or areas with thick ground cover. Its known range is extremely small, and it has only been recorded in a few locations, making its habitat highly vulnerable to disturbance.

Physical traits

This species is tiny, with adults weighing only about 15–30 grams and measuring less than 10 cm in body length. It has a short, pointed snout, large eyes, and soft, coarse fur that ranges from grey to brown. Its tail is very short, barely visible beneath the fur, which helps distinguish it from related species. The ears are relatively large for its size, and its feet are adapted for walking through dense vegetation. Its delicate appearance contrasts with its tough survival needs in highland forest terrain.

Behavior & lifestyle

The Dwarf Gymnure is thought to be nocturnal and solitary, foraging alone at night and hiding in dense ground vegetation during the day. Because of its tiny size and elusive behavior, it is rarely observed in the wild. It likely spends most of its time foraging for insects and small invertebrates among leaf litter and moss. Unlike true hedgehogs, it cannot rely on spines for protection and instead depends on stealth and camouflage to avoid predators.

Communication

Very little is known about communication in this species, but like other gymnures, it may use vocalizations, body postures, and scent marking to interact with others, especially during the breeding season. It likely has well-developed olfactory glands that help define territory and signal reproductive status. Observations are lacking, but parallels with related species suggest it may grunt or hiss when disturbed.

Diet in the wild

The Dwarf Gymnure is an insectivore, feeding on small insects, larvae, worms, and other invertebrates. Its pointed snout is well-suited for probing soil and leaf litter. The species is likely opportunistic and may also consume fungi or decaying plant matter when available. Due to its small size, it needs to feed frequently to maintain energy levels.

Reproduction & life cycle

There is no direct information available on the reproductive habits of the Dwarf Gymnure. Based on related species, it is likely that females give birth to one to three offspring in a nest hidden in dense vegetation or under logs. The young are probably born blind and hairless, developing quickly over the course of several weeks. Breeding may occur during the warmer, wetter parts of the year, depending on resource availability.

Threats & conservation status

The Dwarf Gymnure is listed as Endangered by the IUCN due to its extremely small range, low population density, and the ongoing loss of montane forest habitat in Vietnam. Logging, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development pose significant risks. Its limited distribution makes it highly susceptible to local environmental changes, and even small-scale disturbances could threaten its survival.

This species in captivity

There are no known records of the Dwarf Gymnure being kept in captivity. Its small size, specific habitat needs, and rarity make it poorly suited for captive care or display. Conservation of the species depends entirely on the protection of its natural forest environment.