Facts about Rabbits

Did you know..?

In the United States alone, there are more than 2 million households that have pet rabbits! Rabbits are also the third most favorite pet in the United Kingdom, after dogs and cats!Many people would love to have a pet rabbit of their own. The size of rabbits can be misleading and can make people think that they are easy to look after. But that is far from the truth. It takes a lot of work and effort to look after and manage a pet rabbit. Rabbits have very delicate digestive systems which can get disrupted due to slight changes in their diet, requiring immediate veterinary care. Rabbits also require grooming on a weekly basis, because they have a tendency of swallowing their own hair while grooming themselves. This can lead to digestive problems later on, as they are unable to spit out the hair. Here are some more equally fascinating facts about these adorable creatures.

They are not rodents. They belong to the order lagomorphs.Rabbits are herbivores and eat carrots, vegetables, tree bark, weeds, and herbs. Domestic rabbits will require leafy greens and fruits incorporated in their diet to keep them healthy.Contrary to popular belief, only carrots and some fruits cannot provide your pet rabbit with all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and fit. A diet consisting mainly of carrots may make the rabbit malnourished.They are social, loving, and interactive animals. They live in groups called herds, in a warren. A warren is a huge maze-like underground dwelling for rabbits.Rabbits weigh between 2 to 11 pounds. However, this is an average estimate. The world record for the heaviest rabbit is set at 50 pounds, while the smallest recorded rabbit weighed only 60 grams!There are over 45 recognized breeds of rabbits.Rabbits have a thin skin that can easily suffer tears, which is why they have a dense fur. They shed their coats twice annually.Rabbits have a very good memory. And each rabbit has his own distinct identity and personality.Rabbits have long sensitive ears, which can turn in any direction and can also help in regulating their temperature.Rabbits are crepuscular, that is they are most active at dawn and dusk.Rabbits sweat only through their paws.They have 28 teeth, which keep growing throughout their life.Rabbits do not have equal number of toenails on all their paws. They have 5 toenails each on their front paws, but only 4 toenails each on their hind paws.Rabbits have a wide vocal range. They use different sounds in different tones and volumes for communicating various emotions.Rabbits have a 360 degree vision, and can see things behind them without turning around! They have just one blind spot which is right in front of their nose.Rabbits have 3 pairs of scent glands. One located under the chin, another on either side of the anus, and the third in the inguinal region (called inguinal glands).A male rabbit is called buck, a female one is called doe, and a baby rabbit is called kitten or kit. After birth, the baby rabbits are collectively known as litter.Rabbits can start mating as soon as they are 3 months old, and at 6 months old they are physically mature to produce offspring!One litter usually has 4 - 12 kittens (although it can vary according to the breed), and in the wild a doe can have as many as 8 litters per year! They can produce around 40 - 60 offspring in one season which lasts for around 9 months per year.The gestation period of rabbits is about 30 days.Kittens are blind when they are born, and they open their eyes at 10 days old. They have no fur at the time of birth.Kittens need to be fed only for a few minutes a couple of times per day. They are weaned when they are around 6 - 8 weeks old.Rabbit's milk is very rich in nutrients and is considered very healthy.Rabbits can jump as high as 3 feet, and as long as 10 feet! And they can run at about 35 miles/hour.Rabbits have very frail backbones, which are very susceptible to breaking if they are manhandled.The average lifespan of a rabbit is about 10 years.Rabbits are very susceptible to extreme temperatures and can suffer from a heat stroke.Rabbits chew 120 times a minute and have over 17,000 taste buds.Domestic rabbits cannot breed with American wild rabbits due to genetic differences, but can breed with European wild rabbits!Rabbit meat is all white meat, which means it is low in cholesterol, fat, and calories as compared to beef, pork, etc.Rabbits can't vomit, but they excrete two types of droppings.The night droppings of rabbits are called cecotropes, and they are very rich in nutrients (proteins, minerals, and vitamins), which is why rabbits eat their own night droppings. Their droppings also serve the purpose as an excellent garden fertilizer.Happy rabbits express their joy by performing a series of jumps, twists, and runs, which is termed as binky.Spaying/neutering a rabbit contributes in maintaining good health and curbing the number of offspring produced, but is not essential.They require a four hours exercise a day. They can suffer from osteoporosis if they don't get enough exercise.Rabbits don't like being picked up.Rabbits groom themselves, and usually each other as well to socialize. They love spending time with other rabbits.Rabbits have pretty strong hind legs which they use to kick and lash out if they are captured or feel threatened.Rabbits purr. But unlike cats, who make the noise to communicate, rabbits produce a soft purring sound when they grind their teeth together.It is important to keep 2 or more rabbits if they are being kept as pets. They are social animals and not suitable for domestication. Loneliness can cause depression, aggression, and other behavioral problems. They need company.
Who knew these cute little bundles of fur have so many fascinating things about them? But there is something about them that is a cause of distress. They breed extremely rapidly, causing a problem of overpopulation in many parts of the world. It is reported that in Australia alone, rabbits annually destroy crops worth around $500 million! This makes them rather troublesome creatures to deal with and as a result, there are many incidents of rabbit snaring, shootings, and killings. If they are spayed or neutered, this problem could be brought under control.

Chimpanzee Facts

Not very long ago a chimpanzee, a prominent pop star and a mayor settled for a cup of tea together. Does this seem fictitious already? Well believe it! "Bubbles" was a pet adopted by none other than the legendary pop star, Michael Jackson who had taken this chimpanzee along with him for his music tour in Japan where both of them happened to have a cup of tea with the mayor of Osaka. This chimpanzee was also known to engage himself in doing odd jobs like cleaning and tidying at the star's famous ranch.

The nature and actions of chimpanzees have an uncanny similarity with human behavior. Much has been talked about them, their evolution and existence on earth. In fact, now it has been scientifically proven that chimpanzees are the closest living relatives to humans. They should not be confused with the monkeys and gorillas.

Chimp Chronicles
Family
Chimpanzees are not "monkeys" as stated earlier. They belong to the family of apes along with gorillas, bonobos and orangutans. Though all these animals belong to the same family, chimpanzees are genetically closer to humans than any other animal.
DNA
Chimpanzees and humans share a DNA similarity of about 98.4% leaving only a difference of approximately 1.6%.
Physical Features
Chimpanzees are found mainly in the tropical forests of Africa. These animals have a stocky structure with long protruding arms and a petite body. Long, black hair is a prominent feature, which covers their entire body except the face, ears, fingers and toes. They share a similar feature of opposable thumbs as humans and their sturdy hands are well-equipped to clasp objects firmly and throw them instinctively as a defense mechanism.
Lifespan
Their lifespan is approximately fifty years and they primarily are wild animals, but in captivity these animals can live up to sixty years. A baby chimpanzee lives with its mother for approximately five to ten years after birth.
Diet
They are omnivorous and their principal diet includes leaves, buds and flowers of various plants. Sometimes they eat very selectively consuming only the ripest fruit, which they pick with their hands. Their diet also includes berries and seeds.
Sources of Danger
They face the greatest threat from human beings and leopards. They are also prone to diseases, which also afflict human beings. They are also being used for biomedical testing and entertainment, which are taking a toll on their lives.
Modus Operandi
Chimpanzees spend as much time on land as they do on trees though, most of their eating and sleeping is done on trees. They begin their activities at dawn as they descend from their night nest and what follows is a mischievous mayhem throughout the day especially among the younger chimpanzees. They are more active during the moonlit nights.
Communication
Chimps are known to have devised tools out of stones, twigs and other such objects in their natural habitat for fishing and survival tactics in the wild. The fact that they can craft tools and use them in their daily lives is astonishing.
Sentient Side
They kiss, hug and exude emotions like human beings. Public display of affections is a lifestyle for these lively creatures. Anxious chimpanzees pucker their lips and when threatened bare their teeth, snarling furiously. When chimps are tight-lipped and glare with their eyes, this indicates a sign of attack.
Approximately fifty years ago, there were somewhere around a million chimpanzees in these forests; but, now they are gradually moving towards extinction with about 150,000 to 175,000 left in the wildernesses. The existence is threatened by the decrease in the forests and the increase in the "bush meat" trade. People and global organizations like the WWF are working consistently and are spreading an awareness about these endangered mammals and what can be done to secure their race on earth.

Interesting Facts about Vervet Monkey

The vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) is one of the most common monkeys found in eastern Africa, ranging from Sudan to the southern tip of South Africa. They abound in savannas, forests and even lofty mountains, in areas with a high density of trees. Being highly adaptable, they can even be found close to human dwellings and urban habitats. This species is also found in the Caribbean islands of Barbados and St. Kitts where they were originally introduced as pets.

Adult male vervets are larger than the females, and weigh approximately 12 lb, and measure about 24 inches, whereas females weigh somewhere between 10 and 12 lb, and have a body length of approximately 19 inches. These monkeys eat many different types of fruits, flowers, and seeds. Figs are their favorite fruit. If vegetation is scarce, they will even eat birds' eggs, small chicks and birds, and small insects like grasshoppers. Vervets living close to human populations can be a pest and are known to raid fields of corn and destroy other crops.

Interesting Facts about the Vervet Monkey

• Vervets are distinguished by its characteristic black face, bordered by a white fringe.
• These diurnal animals are gregarious and live in groups called troops of 40-80, mostly made up of adult females and their offspring. Social hierarchy is very strictly followed in troops. A juvenile's status in a troop is determined by its mother's. Even adult vervets are relegated to lower ranks and have to obey younger monkeys with a higher social status. This hierarchy is very important for the vervets' survival because it controls the relationships, and mating and feeding habits.
• They are born with a pink face and black hair. They take on the grayish-green color like that of the adults after 4 months.
• Male vervets have a blue scrotum and bright red penis.
• Young vervets can be mischievous and purposefully give wrong calls and wait and watch how the adults will respond to such behavior! Female monkeys are known to discipline the young ones for such conduct.
• Young monkeys are very playful, and their favorite activities are chasing one another and pushing each other down from the branches of trees.
• Vervets are excellent jumpers and swimmers.
• Vervets have evolved a unique alarm call, wherein they alert members of their troops of impending predators with clear-cut calls for different animals of prey, like eagle, snake, or leopard. A high-pitched chattering signals the presence of a python or a predatory snake, whereas low-pitched grunts mean an eagle or a bird of prey is hovering above. Juvenile vervets inherit an inborn ability to mimic these warning signals.
• Male vervets emit a shrill sound when marking their territories, and females produce a high-pitched squeal to reject any unwanted advances from males during mating.
• Immediately after birth, the female licks the baby clean and eats up the placenta.
• Adult females look after their young ones, and do not have another offspring till the baby grows up and is mature enough to fend for itself. If she happens to lose her baby, she will mourn for days together, and try to conceive as soon as possible to revive the mother-child bonding experience.
• Female vervets form close social bonds with other females from an early age. As they attain maturity, they even look after and care for a newborn provided the mother readily agrees to leave it in their care.
• As with other monkeys, grooming is an important aspect of vervets. They groom each other by removing lodged dirt and bugs from other vervets' fur.
• They are hunted for bushmeat and are used in laboratory and biomedical research, the tissue of vervets is used to prepare polio vaccines.

Subspecies
The vervet monkey can be classified into the following subspecies, namely:

• Chlorocebus pygerythrus excubitor
• Chlorocebus pygerythrus hilgerti
• Chlorocebus pygerythrus nesiotes
• Chlorocebus pygerythrus pygerythrus
• Chlorocebus pygerythrus rufoviridis

Even though vervets are not an endangered species, their population has seen a decline in recent years. Troops living close to human habitation are sometimes killed by high-tension power lines, and people are known to poison them and even shoot them. They are captured for their use in medical research. The bushmeat trade has also contributed to the dwindling population. Deforestation should also be avoided, so we do not disturb their natural habitat. A lot of organizations are involved in conserving vervet monkeys. Together, we should work to safeguard their habitat so these animals can rightfully live and thrive in the African forests.

Wombat Facts

Wombat, a large pudgy mammal, is an Australian marsupial. Wombat females have a pouch called 'marsupium' which contains the teats. The young babies are kept in these pouches. In this way, the mothers can carry the babies safely and easily. They are fed there as well. Wombats are about one meter (39 inches) in length and have short legs and a very short tail. They belong to the family Vombatidae and are mainly found in the forested, mountainous, and heathland areas of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania.

Australian Wombat

Physical Characteristics: Some wombats are of sandy color while some are brown, gray or black. Furry wombats weigh between 20 and 35 kg (44 and 77 lb). These animals are relatively smaller but they have strong muscular claws and powerful front teeth, with the help of which they dig extensive burrows. People who had come across these animals, were attacked fiercely and were severely wounded from wombat claws and bites. Some even had to rest in bed for a few days due to broken bones from the fall. These wild animals do not like human interference. Wombats are quite heavy and an angry wild wombat can easily knock an average-sized adult over. The penetrating teeth and powerful muscular jaws can inflict severe wounds.

Social Life: Unlike most other Australian animals who are listed under the category marsupials (females having pouches), wombats have a relatively larger brain. Their burrows can be described as extensive tunnel-and-chamber complexes. Usually, they (common wombats) like to lead a solitary life, but certain species prefer living in colonies. They may display acts of aggression if provoked, or if they are simply in a bad mood.

Food: They are herbivorous animals who mainly eat various types of grasses, sedges, herbs, barks and roots. The incisor teeth are adapted for biting and chewing tough vegetation.

Reproduction: Female wombats give birth to one single baby in the spring, after a gestation period of about 26 - 28 days. The babies live in the mother's pouch for about 6-7 months and are weaned after 15 months. Wombats are able to give birth to babies, once they are 18 months old.

Special Pouch: One of the characteristic feature of wombats is that they have backwards-facing pouch. The typical position of the pouch protects the young one from dirt, when the mother is busy digging.

Lifestyle: Wombats are mainly crepuscular (primarily active during twilight, at dawn and at dusk) and nocturnal (active during the night and sleeping during the day ). So you won't easily come across a wombat. Sometimes, wombats set out to feed on cool or cloudy days. You can track them easily; if you know that they leave ample evidence of their passage (distinctive cubic scats).

Classification: Only three living varieties of this animal species can be seen. They are common wombat, northern hairy-nosed wombat or yaminon and southern hairy-nosed wombat.

Hairy-nosed Wombat: The wombat whose nose is covered with fur is called hairy-nosed wombat. This type of wombat appears hairy. The fur is white or brown and soft to touch. The nose of this species is short and soft, somewhat like a pig's. The fur is also short. The fur which covers the body of this animal is fine and silky; and much softer than the common wombat's fur. They ware hunted for the fur on a large scale. One important fact about the hairy-nosed wombat is that the species is now critically endangered species.

Taming: There are examples of tamed wombats. In a captive situation, they had become quite friendly. Many parks, zoos and tourist centers have them on public display.

Loss of Habitat: It is true that wombats damage fields and pastures by burrowing extensively. They can be thus a destructive nuisance to ranchers and farmers. But, there is scarcity of space for all wombats, as human beings are acquiring more and more land for farming and for housing. One of the most noteworthy wombat facts is that they have been hunted for this behavior, for their fur or simply for sport. This type of human behavior is totally against nature. Studies reveal the fact that some species are now critically endangered, while others (the common or coarse-haired wombat) are still hunted as vermin.

Wombat facts for kids are available on the Internet. Kids may gather information on wombats from various sites. Those who love animals should not forget that it's our duty to save everything that the goddess of nature has gifted us.

Harp Seal Facts

The harp seal is a ear-less seal species native to the waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. They are also known as the 'saddleback' seals, owing to the black pattern on their back, which resembles a saddle to a certain extent. Not many people are aware of the fact that the binomial name for the harp seal species is Pagophilus groenlandica, which literally means the ice lover from Greenland.

General Facts about Harp Seals

The average lifespan of the harp seal species in the wild is around 20 years. When they are born, they have a white coat, but as they continue to grow this white fur is replaced by a gray leathery coat. This can be attributed to the fact that the adult seals spend most of the time in water, while the young ones spend most of the time on the land, The white color in the young one is a natural camouflage which helps the to avoid predators like the polar bear and killer shark. This is perhaps one of the best example of animal adaptations. A full-grown adult harp seal is 5.25 to 6.25 ft in length, and weighs around 400 lb.

Habitat: Harp seals are found in the cold regions near the north pole. Adult seals spend most of the time in waters of the Atlantic and Arctic, as the water here is relatively warmer than the snow clad land. The water body is also the hunting grounds for the harp seal. As we mentioned earlier, baby seals prefer to spend most of the time on the land, wherein their white fur protects them from severe cold and predators. Though the major population is restricted off the Greenland coast, sightings in Canada, Russia, etc., are not so rare.

Diet: Harp seals are carnivorous mammals which tend to feed on a wide variety of food available in their natural habitat. The long list of sea animals which constitute their diet include crabs, eels, shrimps, squids, plankton, and at times even jelly fish. As for the young ones, they most often feed on the mother's milk. Once they start venturing into the waters, their dietary habits change to the food source available in the water.

Some more interesting facts.....

• Even though a newly born harp seal weighs only 25 lbs, it can eventually grow on to become 6 ft in length and weigh about 400 lbs.
• Harp seals give birth to their young ones on floating ice.
• The teeth of the baby seals grow only when they eat something.
• Its large eyes are armed with large spherical lenses which helps it to focus over a long distance.
• The whiskers located on their mouth helps them detect low frequency vibrations.
• Their sense of smell is also amazing. The mother identifies its young one by its smell.
• Harp seals are excellent swimmers, who can dive to a depth of 1000 ft with immense ease.
• They also have an amazing ability of staying underwater for 15 minutes.

More recently, however, human interference has resulted in a drastic fall in harp seal population. Even though it is listed as a 'Least Concerned' species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list, the alarming rate at which they are hunted for their skin is bound to make them appear in the endangered species list, and eventually the IUCN Red List, some time soon. We can't afford to lose yet another beautiful creature on the planet, and therefore the need of the hour is strict implementation of conservation measures to save the various seal species.

Random Facts About Animals

The animal kingdom consists of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms inhabiting the planet Earth. There are hundreds and thousands of animal species, each being unique and amazing in nature. Animals are an integral part of the ecosystem as well as human life.

Animals are divided into vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrates are those animals with a backbone and are placed in the phyla Cordata and subphyla Vertebrata. Invertebrates are animals that are without a backbone. The animal kingdom consists of mammals, fish, birds, etc. There are over 100,000 species in the 25 animal phyla and many are still to be discovered. This shows that the animal kingdom is brimming with facts that make us understand the uniqueness of the different species. So, without wasting much time, I shall begin with random animal fun facts.

Interesting Facts About Animals

There are many unusual things about animals that we aren't aware of. I have tried to enlist some of the really funny animal facts that you will be surprised to know. Read on for some interesting information about our animal friends.

• Every single swan in England is the property of the Queen.
• Although they are called Anteaters, these animals prefer eating termites over ants.
• A lion living in the wild will be able to make no more than 20 successful kills in a year.
• The Chow is the only dog that does not have a pink colored tongue.
• Deer does not have gallbladder.
• The female Saltwater Crocodile lays her eggs at night. During this period, she enters a trance-like state and is oblivious to the surroundings.
• You will never find two tigers with similar stripe markings.
• A starfish can live for eternity as long as it does not fall sick or meets with an accident or is eaten up by predators.
• The nose prints of gorillas are different, just as human fingerprints.
• A harp seals group is called a Colony or a Rookery.
• A hippopotamus can live for about 40 years in the wild.
• The cheetah is the smallest of all big cats.
• A cheetah can run about 80 miles/hour.
• The tallest mammals on earth are the Giraffes.
• Dolphins can jump up to 20 feet in air.
• An elephant's tusks consists of dentin, the same substance that forms human teeth.
• There are over 40,000 muscles in an elephant's trunk.
• Dogs can make about 10 vocal sounds and cats are capable of making over 100 different vocal sounds.
• Dogs and cats, just like humans, can either be left-handed or right-handed (er.. pawed?).
• A dolphin tends to sleep with one eye open.
• Ants do not have lungs and can never sleep.
• A baby kangaroo at birth is only an inch long and is no bigger in size than a queen bee.
• There are over 32 muscles in a cat's ear.
• A group of owls is called a parliament.
• The smartest dog in the world is the Border Collie and the dumbest dog is the Afghan Hound.
• The tongue of a blue whale is so large that about 50 grown men can stand on it.
• The only animal that cannot jump are elephants.
• For some unknown reason, a duck's quack cannot echo.
• A 4 feet tall child can fit into a wide open mouth of a hippopotamus.
• The heart of a shrimp is in its head.
• The only fish that can blink both eyes at the same time is the shark.
• Each and every polar bear is left-handed (pawed).
• The eyes of an ostrich is bigger than its brain.
• The only animals besides humans who can fall prey to leprosy are the armadillos.
• An armadillo can have four babies at a time. What is weird is that all the newborns are of the same-sex.
• A cat's urine can glow under black light.
• A haw is the third eyelid of cats, which is only visible when the animal is very sick.
• If a goldfish is kept in dim light for a period, it will turn white.
• Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
• Sharks and ray fish are the only animal species that never get cancer.
• Birds use gravity to help them swallow food. If there is no gravity, birds would choke to death on their food.
• The only mammals that produce uric acid other than humans are Dalmatians. Thus, they become the only dog breed to get gout.
• There are hair on the eyes of honeybees that help them collect pollens.
• The sperm of an elephant is shorter than the sperm of a mouse.
• The whiskers of a cat help it determine if the space is too small or enough for it to squeeze through.
• Lions can mate over 50 times a day.
• The tongue of an alligator is attached to the bottom of its mouth and hence it cannot stick its tongue out.
• The only mammals that can fly are bats. Another interesting random animal fact about bats is that they always turn left while exiting a cave.
• Humans, apes and koalas are the only three animals to have unique fingerprints.
• Rabbits and parrots are the only creatures who can look behind themselves without ever turning their heads around.

The animal kingdom is very vast and enriched with creatures far beyond the human imagination. Each and every living animal on earth has adapted itself to its surroundings. It is our duty to help save the ecosystem and animals living in it from destruction. Our planet will no longer be the beautiful, if there are no animals.

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.