Interesting Facts about Hedgehogs

Erinaceus europaeus, is the binomial name of the hedgehog. Hedgehog is a small mammal. Their body is covered by a coat of over 6000 quills. They are nocturnal animals and during the day, they sleep in nests made of grass and leaves or small burrows under shrubs, tree logs or rocks.

The name 'Hedgehog' came into existence due to the animal's habit of digging through hedges and undergrowth, searching for small creatures as food. As it forages its way through the hedges, it emits a peculiar grunting sound like that of a pig. Hence, the name Hedgehog! There are about 15 species of hedgehogs in Europe, Africa and Asia. Hedgehogs are considered useful pets, as they prey on common garden pests. To know more about these animals, read the interesting facts given below.

• Hedgehogs are solitary animals.
• The average lifespan of a hedgehog is 3.5 years. Some hedgehogs can live up to 9 years.
• Hedgehogs curl into a prickly ball when attacked. It is a very unappetizing sight for the predator, which compels it to leave the hedgehog alone. Hedgehogs normally, sleep by curling into a tight ball.
• The quills, hard on the outside, are filled with air pockets inside.
• Hedgehogs hibernate in winter. They also sleep through long spells of heat in the deserts and dry places, through a process called aestivation, which is also known as 'summer sleep'.
• The normal heartbeat of a hedgehog is 190 per minute which comes down to 20 per minute during hibernation.
• Hedgehogs have a strong sense of smell and hearing but they have weak eyesight.
• The male hedgehog is called a boar and the females are known as sows. Their offspring are known as hoglets.
• Baby hedgehogs have a high mortality rate. Smaller species have 3-4 offspring and larger species have 5-6. It is a relief to the sows that the hoglets are born without quills!
• Hoglets are born blind and their eyesight improves in about two weeks.
• Hoglets, when around 4-5 weeks old, leave their mother, as well as their nest.
• Hedgehog is basically an insectivore and feeds on baby birds, mice, small mammals, snails, millipedes, earwigs and even bees. However, it also consumes berries.
• Hedgehogs love bananas and it is found that bananas help in their digestion.
• Hedgehogs swim, climb walls and can run with a speed of 4.5 mph.
• Only 1 hedgehog in 12,000 is born with no pigmentation due to a mutation in the gene.
• Hedgehogs are mildly intolerant to lactose.
• Hedgehogs can also suffer from cancer. The sows may suffer from ovarian, uterine and mammary tumors and the boars may suffer from jaw and testicular cancer.
• Interestingly, in 'The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle' by Beatrix Potter, the main character is a hedgehog and is seen ironing or starching shirts.

It is very sad to know that these animals are becoming endangered. The next time you see a hedgehog, don't be alarmed by its spikes, rather, go for adopting one. It will surely be a great pet.