The present investigation aims to describe the morphometric and histological features of the skin in the desert hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus). Skin biopsies were harvested from the dorsal, abdominal, labial, and nasal regions to monitor the structural differences. Histologically, the skin followed the general mammalian architectural pattern and was composed of three main layers; epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. However, there were some species-specific differences. The hairless skin of the rhinarium was the thickest and no sebaceous gland was detected. Moreover, the lateral nasal glands were recorded for the first time in hedgehogs. This feature is very common in mammals that utilize thermal panting strategy rather than sweating in thermoregulation. The histological analysis of the dorsal and ventral skin confirmed our observation, as no sweat gland was detected. The labial glands were overpopulated in the skinny surface of the upper lip, while the vermillion border devoid glands at all. Hedgehog’s hair exhibited morphological and structural modifications. The dorsal skin exhibited stiff spines, while the belly skin was covered by dense fur. The vibrissal hairs were located on the snout and regularly arranged on both sides of the labial skin, embedded in the blood sinus system and enveloped within a dense collagenous capsule. Together, these data suggest that the desert hedgehog has a unique integumentary system enabling him to accommodate the extreme environmental conditions of the desert habitat.

本研究旨在描述沙漠刺猬（Paraechinus aethiopicus）皮肤的形态和组织学特征。）。从背，腹，唇和鼻区域收获皮肤活检组织以监测结构差异。从组织学上讲，皮肤遵循一般的哺乳动物建筑模式，并由三个主要层组成。表皮，真皮和皮下组织。但是，存在一些特定物种的差异。鼻腔的无毛皮肤最厚，没有发现皮脂腺。此外，首次在刺猬中记录了鼻外侧腺。在使用热气腾腾策略而非在温度调节中出汗的哺乳动物中，此功能非常常见。对背侧和腹侧皮肤的组织学分析证实了我们的观察结果，因为未检测到汗腺。上唇骨干表面的唇腺过多，而朱红色的边界根本没有腺体。刺猬的头发表现出形态和结构上的改变。背部皮肤显示出坚硬的刺，而腹部皮肤被茂密的皮毛覆盖。触须毛位于鼻子上，并规则排列在唇部皮肤的两侧，嵌在血窦系统中，并包裹在密密的胶原蛋白胶囊中。这些数据加在一起表明，沙漠刺猬具有独特的外皮系统，使他能够适应沙漠栖息地的极端环境条件。包埋在血液窦系统中，并包裹在致密的胶原蛋白胶囊中。这些数据加在一起表明，沙漠刺猬具有独特的外皮系统，使他能够适应沙漠栖息地的极端环境条件。包埋在血液窦系统中，并包裹在致密的胶原蛋白胶囊中。这些数据加在一起表明，沙漠刺猬具有独特的外皮系统，使他能够适应沙漠栖息地的极端环境条件。