Fun Facts!

If a hedgehog gets nervous, they will just roll-up into a ball.

Hedgehogs have hollow hairs called spines.

A worm moving underground can be heard by a hedgehog.

A hedgehog has poor eyesight, and depends more heavily on its other senses.

Hedgehog

Atelerix albiventris

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Hedgehogs are rodents, usually gray or brownish in color, with a triangular head and small eyes, looking somewhat like a spiny opossum. Their spines on their back are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin (the building material of fingernails) and are neither barbed nor poisonous. Unlike porcupine quills they cannot easily be removed. When maturing, a hedgehog goes through a process called “quilling” as its baby spines fall out and new adult spines replace them.

HABITAT

The various species of hedgehogs are scattered throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and New Zealand. They hide under rocks or in holes to sleep, but often dig their own hole-dens for shelter.

DIET IN THE WILD

They are omnivores. While they primarily eat insects, they will also eat snails, frogs, toads, small snakes, bird eggs, carrion, mushrooms, roots of grasses, berries, melons and watermelon.

BEHAVIOR

Most hedgehogs are solitary and nocturnal, sleeping the day and active at night. Instead of running from predators or enemies, hedgehogs will typically roll themselves into a ball with their spines protruding in all directions. Hedgehogs have a chemical in their bodies that make them immune to snake venom. Wild hedgehogs will hibernate at times, depending on the temperature and food supplies.

STATUS IN THE WILD / CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Their numbers in the wild are strong - they are not a protected species. In fact, in areas such as the islands of Scotland where the hedgehog has been introduced, it has become a regular pest!

LIFE SPAN

They can live between 4-7 years in the wild. An European hedgehog can live 8-10 years in captivity, while an African hedgehog will typically live 3-4 years.