Top 08 Fun Facts About The Hedgehog Animal

No 1.

Types of hedgehogs.

There are 17 different species of hedgehogs. Hedgehog is a generally common species that can survive across a wide range of habitat types. The four-toed hedgehog is a species of hedgehog found throughout much of central and eastern Africa. its name is derived. From the number of toes found on its hind feet, the long-eared hedgehog is a species of hedgehog native to central Asian countries and some countries in the middle east. The long-eared hedgehog lives in burrows that it either makes or finds and it's distinguished by its long ears it is considered one of the smallest middles eastern hedgehogs the most popular breed however has to be the African pygmy hedgehog. this cute little guy is usually the hedgehog most commonly domesticated and kept as a pet.

No 2.

How the hedgehog got its name.

The hedgehog earned its name because of its preferred habitat garden hedges. They snuffle through hedges and other the undergrowth in search of their favorite food which is small creatures as it goes on their quest for food it makes pig-like grunts pretty cute they make gardeners very happy because they eat pesky insects as well as worms centipedes bird eggs snails mice frogs and snakes.

No 3.

Can hedgehogs hurt you? 

The hedgehog can thank its spines for its signature look they are one inch long modified hairs or quills that cover the critter's back and sides the face chest belly throat and legs are covered in fur helping to give them that tough-guy look the hedgehog has between 5 000 to 7 000 quills unlike porcupine quills hedgehog spikes are not barbed and they're not poisonous the hedgehog's quills stay firmly attached to the animal the inside of the quill is mostly hollow with a series of complex air chambers that make them light but strong with that said they use their quills defensively more like armor than projectiles when threatened hedgehogs roll up into a ball becoming a mass of hard to eat spines this is how they sleep.

No 4.

Hedgehog habitats

Speaking of sleep the hedgehog is nocturnal which means it comes out at night most of its day is spent snoozing in a nest or under bushes or thick scrubs they like moist places which are either

above ground or underground, they find some holes or abandoned

tunnels in deep forests under branches leave roots of plants and stem where they could spend their time you can find them in woodland areas farmlands gardens or even in parks they live where there are lots of insects on the ground and where other food can be found so they can snap it all up and chew away they love their home but if they're looking for food they can travel up to two and a half miles or four kilometers a night in search of their delicious meal.

No 5.

Do they make good pets.?

Pet hedgehogs are quite active entertaining and require lots of care they are nocturnal making them a good pet for someone who has a 9 to 5 job these solitary animals prefer to be housed alone and may fight if kept with other hedgehogs even a tame African pygmy hedgehog needs to get used to you because they are considered wildlife it's illegal to keep a hedgehog as a pet in many parts of the united states. Hedgehogs need a lot of special care to be kept as pets and anyone considering doing so should do their research first just make sure you pet them in the right direction rub them the wrong way and you'll get the well the point.

No 6.

The hedgehog's diet.

Hedgehogs will feed on a wide range of things the majority of their diet is made up of creepy-crawly invertebrates now in the wild, the most important invertebrates in their diet are worms beetles slugs caterpillars earwigs, and millipedes as well as these they also eat a wide range of other insects now if you're feeding a pet hedgehog you want to provide a well-balanced diet that is high in protein your pet's diet may range from canned wet cat food fruits and vegetables and even treats like crickets and mealworms that can be purchased from a pet store.

No 7.

Babies

A baby hedgehog is called a hoglet hedgehog gives birth in June and July and they have an average litter size of four or five young however they usually only wing two or

three successfully females are capable of having a second litter in late September or October but these young are less likely to survive the winter the mother is liable to desert hoglets if she is disturbed sometimes she will carry them in her mouth to a new location young hedgehogs will leave the nest when they are around three to four weeks old to go on foraging trips with their mother

after around 10 days of foraging with their mother, the young will wander off on their own. 

No 8. 

odd behavior 

Anointing hedgehogs take part in an odd behavior called anointing when they first come upon a new object or bit of food they will lick the substance until a frothy saliva forms and then they rub

that spit onto their skin and spines self-anointing is still a hedgehog mystery since we cannot speak hedgehog language we can only make very educated guesses as to why hedgehogs cover themselves in their saliva some people think they do this to make them taste not so great to predators others think that this could be some type of odor-based camouflage whatever the case there's no need to worry if your pet hedgehog starts this strange activity self-anointing is completely normal behavior for all hedgehogs.