Leuser gymnure

Taxonomy

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

Not a ‘real’ hedgehog

The Leuser Gymnure, like all its relatives in the hairy hedgehog group, shares ancestry with true hedgehogs yet differs markedly in appearance and behavior. Both are insectivorous and nocturnal with keen senses, but unlike spiny hedgehogs, the Leuser Gymnure sports soft fur, lacks defensive quills, cannot curl into a ball, and moves with agile stealth reminiscent of shrews.

Natural range & habitat

This species is confined to Mount Leuser in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, living at elevations between roughly 2,073 and 2,835 m, with peak abundance around 2,073 to 2,408 m. Its preferred habitat includes moist montane forests rich in moss, ferns, and thick ground cover, as well as open heathy plateaus above the tree line, where rhododendrons, Vaccinium species, and low shrubs dominate. Its entire known range lies within a national park, yet human-driven forest loss, fires, and road development continue to fragment its habitat.

Physical traits

A mid-sized gymnure, the Leuser Gymnure measures between 13.9 and 15 cm in total length, with a tail roughly 2.1–2.2 cm long (about 17.5% of its body length). It weighs between 40 and 54 g. Its soft, dark brown fur transitions to a lighter underside, and it has a uniformly colored tail, unlike the bicolored tails of some relatives. The throat may show pale yellow tones. Its ears are moderate in size (1.8–2 cm), and its body resembles a shrew in profile. Detailed skull structure reflects slight differences from related species, but its compact, insectivorous form is clear.

Behavior & lifestyle

Little is known, but stomach content analysis suggests a diet rich in earthworms, and individuals have been trapped under moss-covered logs, tree roots, or grassy mats near forest edges. One adult and two subadults were caught together, implying possible parental care or overlapping territories. Notably, adults emit a faint but recognizable pig-like odor, not recorded in juveniles.

Communication

Direct observations are lacking, but like other gymnures, the Leuser species likely uses scent marking, subtle tactile cues, and possibly soft vocal sounds to communicate, given their secretive nature and dense forest habitat.

Diet in the wild

Known primarily to consume earthworms, based on gut analyses. Its montane foraging habitat suggests it may also feed opportunistically on forest-floor invertebrates, though no studies confirm broader dietary habits.

Reproduction & life cycle

No reproductive data exist. Observations of adult and juvenile captures together hint at potential parent-offspring association, but breeding timing, litter size, and development remain unstudied.

Threats & conservation status

Not yet assessed by the IUCN, the Leuser Gymnure faces habitat threats from deforestation, fires, oil palm expansion, illegal roads, and the looming threat of the Trans-Sumatra Highway. Despite being located within a national park, its specialized montane habitat remains under pressure.

This species in captivity

There are no records of this species in captivity. Its limited known range, elusive behavior, and specific habitat needs make it unlikely to be maintained outside its natural environment.