Amazing Hedgehog Facts
Amazing Hedgehog Facts
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2. The hedgehog is one of the most distinctive and best-loved animals. Its most famous feature is its spines, which cover most of its body.
3. A hedgehog can run over six feet per second. Many hedgehogs will try to run away before they roll into a protective ball.
4. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, which mean they are most active during the night.
5. Hedgehogs are carnivores, which means they eat the flesh of other animals. They like slugs, snails, worms, beetles and other inspects, but they will also eat everything from frogs to birds’ eggs!
6. Hedgehogs are spiny mammals. They use their spines to protect themselves from predators, and roll into a tight ball when they feel threatened.
7. The hedgehog is born with its spines lying just under the skin. The spines will “sprout” 2-3 days after they are born.
8. There are 14 species of hedghog.
9. The hedgehog takes its name from the pig-like habit of rooting around in the undergrowth for food and making noisy snuffling and grunting sounds.
10. An average hedgehog has between 5,000 and 6,000 spines. Each one will grow to about an inch long. After about a year, old spines will fall out and be replaced by new ones.
11. Hedgehog spines are in fact very strong, modified hairs. They are made of a protein called keratin, which is what your fingernails are made of!
12. Hedgehogs hibernate, which means they make a nest and go into a deep sleep during the winter. They wouldn’t be able to survive the cold weather otherwise, because there aren’t enough insects around for them to eat.
13. Hedgehogs breed between April and September. Female hedgehogs will be pregnant for about four and a half weeks before giving birth, and they usually have between two and six hoglets.
14. Baby hedgehogs are born blind, and without any visible spines. This is so they don’t hur t their mum when she gives bir th to them! Their first spines come through in about an hour. After about two weeks, their spines will become more adult-like, and their eyes will open.
15. Hedgehogs may be small, but they can cover big distances. Males usually walk fur ther than females, sometimes trotting several miles in a night.
16. Smell is a hedgehog’s most impor tant sense. It uses its nose to find food, avoid danger and identify other hedgehogs. In contrast, hedgehogs’ eyesight is actually quite weak.
17. In the wild, the average hedgehog lives about five years. Many of the dangers hedgehogs face have been created by humans, including cars, bonfires, lawnmowers, slug pellets and drains. They need all the help they can get!
18. Hedgehogs live in woodland and hedges, but are also found in gardens.
19. Hedgehogs are immune to the toxins in toads. They chew them up then lather their hairs with the mixture for added protection!
20. Hedgehogs display a strange habit of self-anointing or “anting” when introduced to a new or particularly strong-smelling substance. This behavior produces frothy saliva which they then spread onto their spines. This behavior is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a protective behavior, as hedgehogs have been known to self-anoint with poisonous toads, providing their spines with extra defense.
21. Hedgehogs are related to a animal called a porcupine. They look similar to hedgehogs but porcupines are quite fierce.
22. When frightened a hedgehog stands on its back legs.
23. The world’s most famous hedgehog is probably Mrs Tiggy-Winkle from The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, the children’s book written by Beatrix Potter.
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