Kemp’s spiny mouse

Kemp's spiny mouse, a species within the genus Acomys, is a small to medium-sized rodent characterized by stiff, spiny hairs on its upper body. These mice have large eyes and ears, and their tails are scaly, nearly bald, and shorter than or equal to their body length. A notable characteristic of Kemp's spiny mouse, along with Percival's spiny mouse, is their ability to shed patches of skin when evading predators. This defense mechanism allows them to escape capture, with the wounds healing rapidly. African spiny mice, including Kemp's, are found across Africa and parts of Asia, inhabiting deserts, savannas, and dry woodlands. They are omnivorous, with plant matter forming the majority of their diet.1