Country Life Creatures Animal Charm Page

Hedgehog

There are about 17 species of hedgehog. The name for a baby hedgehog is a hoglet.They feed as much as possible during the autumn and in around October build its nests of leaves and grass in which to hibernate over the cold winter months. They have about 5000 spines. Each spine lasts about a year then drops out and a replacement grows. Most hedgehog species will roll into a tight ball if threatened, making it hard for its attacker to get past the spiky defences. The hedgehog is nocturnal, coming out at night and spending the day sleeping in a nest under bushes or thick shrubs. While hunting for food, they rely primarily upon their senses of hearing and smell because their eyesight is weak though their eyes are adapted for night-time vision. Hedgehogs communicate through a combination of snuffles, grunts and squeals. Hedgehogs are known as the gardener’s friend. This is because they will eat slugs, beetles, caterpillars, etc., and do no harm.

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