Hedgehogs (scientific name: Erinaceidae) are small mammals that belong to the subfamily Hedgehog in nature. They are known for having the backs of their bodies covered in sharp spines, which they curl into a ball to expose these spines when threatened to protect themselves from predators.
Appearance: The most distinctive feature of a hedgehog is that its back is covered with spines, which are actually modified hairs. They are small in size, generally 20-30 centimeters in length, and can weigh from a few hundred grams to more than 1,000 grams.
Skin and spines: A hedgehog's spines can stand upright under the control of muscles. When a hedgehog encounters danger, special muscles will cause the spines to stand up and form a ball to defend against the enemy.
Face and Senses: Hedgehogs have very keen senses of smell and hearing, but weaker vision.
Food habits: Hedgehogs are omnivores and feed mainly on insects, but also eat worms, small molluscs, eggs, small vertebrates and certain plants.
Activity time: Some hedgehogs are nocturnal animals. They will hide in the grass or tree holes to rest during the day, and come out to look for food at night.
Lifestyle: Hedgehogs are usually solitary and only seek out a mate during the breeding season. They are very territorial and will be aggressive towards intruders.
Hibernation: In cold climates, hedgehogs hibernate. Before preparing to hibernate, hedgehogs eat enough food to store energy in the form of fat to survive the winter.
Breeding: Hedgehogs usually breed in late spring to early summer. Pregnancy period is usually 4 to 6 weeks.
Littering: A female hedgehog can give birth to 2 to 10 pups in a litter, but the number is usually 3 to 5.
Care: Pups are born limp and have soft spines. At approximately 4 to 6 weeks of age, the pups become independent and develop mature spines in a short period of time.
Habitat: Hedgehogs are widely distributed in Europe, Asia, Africa and New Zealand. Their habitats include forests, meadows, shrublands and gardens.
Adaptability: Hedgehogs adapt well to different environments, including human gardens and suburban areas.
Conservation status: Many hedgehog species have relatively stable populations, but some are threatened by habitat loss and road traffic.
Relationship with humans: Hedgehogs are generally viewed as beneficial animals because they can help control garden pest populations.
Although hedgehogs are generally harmless to humans and animals, in some areas, particularly where they were introduced as non-native species such as New Zealand, they can cause damage to native insects and small animals. However, due to their cute appearance, they are also kept as pets in some areas. If you keep hedgehogs, you need to pay special attention to their special diet and living habits, as well as their environmental temperature and humidity requirements.
animal tags： hedgehog
you may also like
The cheetah (scientific name: Acinonyx jubatus) is a large cat that lives in Africa and a small amount of Asia. The following is detailed information about cheetahs and an overview of their living habits: Distribution and habitat Distribution: Cheetahs are mainl...
Melanism is one of nature's most striking and mysterious phenomena. It refers to the overproduction of dark pigment, melanin, which results in animals having a black or very dark appearance. While it might seem rare, some species have surprisingly high rates of melanism, offering them unique adv...
Scientists have discovered partial bones and tusks of a Columbian mammoth in Idaho, USA. They believe that a complete mammoth skeleton may be buried here, which would be a very rare discovery. Experts estimate that this mammoth lived between 70,000 and 120,000 years ago a...
The question of how many animals are in the world sparks a curiosity about the richness of Earth’s biodiversity. While the exact number is difficult to pinpoint due to the ongoing discovery of new species and the extinction of others, scientists have made significant estimates. From land-dwelling m...
When you think about waterfowl, ducks and geese are two birds that might come to mind. While both belong to the same family—Anatidae—they have key differences that set them apart in terms of behavior, physical traits, and even culinary use. In this article, we'll dive into these differences, i...
In nature, the mouths of many animals have amazing cleanliness due to their unique structure and functionality. Although animals cannot use toothbrushes and dental floss like humans, their mouths are kept much cleaner than we think. This article will explore in detail the animals with the cleanest m...
On the morning of November 30, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province promoted biodiversity protection. A press conference was held at the Municipal Administrative Center. At the meeting, it was announced that a new freshwater fish species had been discovered in Lishui City - Oujiang small swim bladd...
One of the most fascinating and unusual reproductive processes in the animal kingdom is parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction in which an animal can reproduce without a mate. Essentially, certain animals can get pregnant by themselves, which is a rare but remarkable phenomenon. In this com...
Email: jsset#163.com (change # to @) Please indicate your purpose of visit! Guangdong ICP No. 2022053326 XML| map| Chinese
