Hedgehog
This small spiny mammal has changed little over the last 15 million years.
Hedgehogs are not often seen, principally because they are nocturnal and spend most daylight hours under cover. Once spotted though, they are easily recognised by their spines. The best time to go hedgehog-hunting is after a rain storm, when they can be found foraging for earth worms.
Like most nocturnal creatures, hedgehogs have poor eyesight but good hearing and a superior sense of smell. .If frightened or disturbed a hedgehog will roll up into a tight ball – gaining protection from its dense convering of spines.
Hedgehogs are non-territorial and make their homes in a variety of landscapes including hedgerows, woodland, farmland and scubland. They are also often found in gardens. It is common practice for kindly people to put out a saucer of milk for the hedgehog in their garden, but beware. Although the milk will be well-received, it will do the hedgehog more harm than good.
Hedgehogs put on lots of weight in autumn ready to hibernate through the winter. Hibernation nests are typically built under hedgerows.
Facts
Appearance: The upper parts of the head and body are covered in dense spines. The rest of the body is covered in brown fur.
Size: 15-30cm
Weight: 1.5-2kg
Lifespan: 4-7 years
Diet: Primarily insects. Hedgehogs will also eat worms, snails, frogs, toads, berries, roots and mushrooms
Family: Erinaceidae
Did you know?
- Hedgehogs are named after their pig-like snout – and their pig-like habbit of noisily rooting through the undergrowth for food. The ‘hedge’ part is more obvious, the hedgehog inhabits hedgerows.
- The name hedgehog was first used in the 15th century
- Hedgehogs are very vocal and communicate via grunts, snuffles and even loud squeals
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