Brandt's Hedgehog, Paraechinus hypomelas (Brandt, 1836), new to the mammal fauna of Iraq

Due to the wide distribution through the Iranian Plateau, especially in its western parts adjacent to Iraq's northeastern borders, the occurrence of Brandt's Hedgehog Paraechinus hypomelas (Brandt, 1836) was suspected, but no confirmed records were made. In 2021-2023, several sightings were obtained during in situ surveys in the Bamo-Khoshk Mountains in the Kurdistan region-northeastern Iraq which confirm the first occurrence of this species in the country.