Cape or Siberian Mole and common hedgehog
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Cape or Siberian Mole and common hedgehog
Cape or Siberian Mole and common hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus, Scapanus townsendii.. Handcolored copperplate engraving from Ebenezer Siblys Universal System of Natural History, 1794. The prolific Sibly published his Universal System of Natural History in 1794-1796 in five volumes covering the three natural worlds of fauna, flora and geology
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Media ID 14219625
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
Cape Common Ebenezer Erinaceus Europaeus Hedgehog Meyer Mole Siberian Sibly System Universal
EDITORS COMMENTS
This handcolored copperplate engraving, taken from Ebenezer Sibly's Universal System of Natural History published in 1794-1796, showcases two intriguing and distinctly different creatures of the animal kingdom: the Common Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) and the Cape or Siberian Mole (Scapanus townsendii). The meticulously drawn and colored illustration, produced during the height of the Age of Enlightenment, is a testament to the natural history fascination that permeated Europe during this period. The Common Hedgehog, a native of Europe, is depicted on the left side of the image. Its quilled body is covered in tiny, closely packed spines, which it can roll into a protective ball when threatened. This nocturnal creature is an omnivore, feeding on a variety of insects, worms, and fruits. On the right side of the illustration, the Cape or Siberian Mole makes its appearance. This mole species, native to North America, is distinguished by its much smaller size and the absence of quills. Instead, it relies on its powerful forelimbs for digging burrows and its keen sense of smell for foraging. The Cape or Siberian Mole primarily feeds on invertebrates, but will also consume plant material. The intricate details and lifelike qualities of this engraving are a testament to the skill and dedication of the natural history illustrators of the time. The inclusion of both the Common Hedgehog and the Cape or Siberian Mole in Sibly's work reflects the comprehensive and global scope of natural history research during the late 18th century.
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