Hedgehogs are prickly and covered in spines. There are different types of hedgehog but this text is about the common hedgehog, which is native to Europe. They are found in gardens and in our playground.
The common hedgehog is the largest and heaviest hedgehog, they grow to 30cm long and weighs up to 2 kg. They have five thousand to seven thousand spikes and a round body. Spikes on a adult hedgehog are one inch long. The spikes don’t cover their chest, belly, throat or legs which are covered in fur. A hedgehog has poor eyesight but has a good sense of smell to make up for it. Most people are unaware that a hedgehog has a small tail.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal that means they only come out at night they also hibernate that means they sleep the winter. They have a top speed of five miles per hour for short distances and can travel for up to two miles. Hedgehogs can swim as well. The long snout of a hedgehog is used to forage for food. A hedgehog curls into a ball to protect its self from predators. If a hedgehog is seen in daylight it’s likely that some thing is wrong. A hedgehog has a lifespan of two to three years. They leave their mothers after four to seven weeks so therefore they obviously live alone mostly.
Hedgehogs eat a few different things. They eat insects, worms, caterpillars, bird eggs and fruits and berry’s. Hedgehogs predators are mainly badgers but some foxes have learned to turn them upside down to eat the actual hedgehog. They are also Knocked down by cars at night because they get scared of the headlights and curl up into a ball instead of moving off the road.
The number of hedgehogs has fallen but in New Zealand where they have been introduced are invasive. A group of hedgehog is called an array but it rare to see hedgehogs together. They are lactose intolerant so they don’t like milk. Before being called hedgehogs they were called urchins. Hedgehogs are called their name for a reason, hedge because they build their nests in hedges and hog because they make snorting sounds and grunts.
Sources : chasing scales, love the garden and WWF
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