Hedgehog is a spiny mammal that belongs to the family Erinaceidae, found in Europe, Asia and Africa. It has an elongated snout and body covered with 5000 to 6500 non-poisonous quills. It replaces the old quills with new ones each yea.
If attached it curls into a prickly and unapestising ball that deters most predators. It feeds on insects, worms, centipedes, snails, mice, frogs and snakes. It hibernates in cold climates.
The body of adult hedgehogs ranges from 14 to 30 centimetres long, and their tail can add one to six centimetres. When they are born (there can be up to seven in a litter) their spines are soft and short. But soon after birth, their spines harden, becoming stiffer, sharper and longer. Babies stay in the nest until they”re about three weeks old. By that time, their eyes are open, their spines are effective and they can safely follow their mother outside the nest as she looks for food.
Top on the hedgehog”s menu are insects, followed by small mice, snails, lizards, frogs, eggs and even snakes. Mostly nocturnal creatures, they head out at night in search of food – but they are sometimes active during the day, too, particularly after it rains.
Credit : National Geographic
Picture Credit : Google
