Hedgehog
A hedgehog is a small, spiny mammal known for its unique defense mechanism of curling into a ball when threatened. There are 17 species of hedgehogs belonging to various genera, primarily found across Europe, Asia, and Africa. They vary in size, with the smallest species measuring about 4 to 6 inches long and weighing under 2 ounces, while larger species can reach lengths of 10 to 18 inches and weigh up to 3 pounds. Covered in 3,000 to 5,000 sharp spines, hedgehogs are generally brown, black, gray, or occasionally white.
Hedgehogs have diverse diets, consuming earthworms, insects, small rodents, and even fruits, depending on their habitat. Most are solitary creatures that dig burrows and are primarily active during the day, though some species may be nocturnal. Their mating and breeding patterns vary with climate and food availability, and females typically give birth to four to seven young after a gestation period of five to seven weeks. While they have few natural predators due to their spines, they can still be hunted by various animals like owls and foxes. Hedgehogs typically live for 2 to 5 years in the wild, although some can survive longer in captivity. Conservation status varies by species, with some classified as vulnerable in certain regions.
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Hedgehog
A hedgehog is a small spine-covered animal which curls up in a ball to protect itself. There are many different species of hedgehogs. Hedgehogs can be found throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Erinaceidae
Genus: Various (see below)
Species: Various (see below)
There are 17 species of hedgehog across five distinct genera. The smallest hedgehogs, the Lesser moonrats, are four to six inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long with tails 1/2 to two inches (3 1/2 to five centimeters) long, and weigh under two ounces (less than 56 grams). Larger hedgehogs, the Greater moonrats, are 10 to 18 inches (25 to 45 1/2 centimeters) long and have tails 20 to 21 inches (50 to 53 centimeters) long. They weigh between two and three pounds (average of one kilogram). Most hedgehogs are brown, black, and gray, while some may be white. The bodies of the hedgehogs are covered with 3,000 to 5,000 sharp spines, each about one inch (2 1/2 centimeters) long. When another animal attacks the hedgehog, it very quickly curls up in a prickly ball so that the attacker cannot eat it. Because it has these spines, very few animals try to eat hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs eat a variety of things. One of the most common hedgehogs, the European hedgehog, eats earthworms, many kinds of insects, eggs and young birds from nests, parts of other dead animals (carrion), and many other small creatures without bones (invertebrates). Other hedgehogs in the family may eat small rodents, such as mice. Some live near water and find small fish and other water creatures called crustaceans and mollusks. Still others look for seeds, berries, grasses, leaves, and fruit which has fallen from trees. Most hedgehogs look for food during the day, but some are nocturnal (active at night).
Usually, hedgehogs live alone in their burrows, which they dig with their powerful legs and strong claws. Mating takes place at different times during the year, depending on the climate where they live and how much food is available for the young hedgehogs. Some breed only once or twice a year, while others breed all year long. It is not known how long it takes every species of hedgehog to give birth once a female is pregnant. However, gestation (duration of pregnancy) for European hedgehogs is five to seven weeks. The male hedgehog does not help in raising the young, of which there may be between four and seven. The young leave their mother when they are about five or six weeks old and are fully grown after 11 months.
Most of the time a hedgehog walks slowly, waddling from side to side. When it needs to, though, it can run up to 6 1/2 feet (two meters) per second.
Although the species of hedgehog have a good defense system, they may still fall prey to owls, ferrets, foxes, wolves, and mongooses. The life span of hedgehogs is two to five years in the wild, but some have lived for eight years in captivity. While certain species of hedgehog are classified as vulnerable in some areas, others are not threatened.
Bibliography
“European Hedgehog - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio.” Animalia, 2024, animalia.bio/european-hedgehog. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.
Parks, Abby. “Hedgehog Animal Facts.” A-Z Animals, 18 Jan. 2023, a-z-animals.com/animals/hedgehog. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.