Hedgehogs are some of the cutest animals in the entire kingdom . The playfulness and endearing little creatures have captivated droves of people with their interesting curiosity and favourite characteristics . These hedgehog facts prove that when it comes to playfulness and delicious , the porcupine is the top dog .
21 Hedgehog Facts for Animal Lovers
Because they are just so darn cunning , many masses see Erinaceus europaeus as a family darling , but they certainly are n’t the pet for everyone . While hedgehogs are endearingly Instagrammable , keep these important fun fact about hedgehogs in mind as you view pet espousal .
They’re Lone Rangers
A group of hedgehogs is referred to as an array , but hazard of coming across a gang of these little guys is highly unbelievable . They prefer the sole ranger lifestyle and are solitary animals . If they do come together , then it is in all likelihood high-pitched time to copulate and make some baby porcupine .
Not Anyone Can Own a Hedgie
Hedgehogs have become pop exotic pets in recent years , but not just anyone can go out and buy a hedgie . Many places have banned citizen from calling themselveshedgehog ownersincluding Arizona , California , Georgia , Hawaii , Pennsylvania , New York City , and Washington , D.C.
So Many Hedgies!
There are more than one specie of hedgehog . In fact , there are 17 different edition of the quilly mammal . Of the 17 make love species , none are native to North America .
Special Kind of Quills
Many take that a hedgehog and a hedgehog have a like flight feather makeup , but this is false . While a porcupine ’s quills are setose and will go forth a sucker on those poked , the Erinaceus europaeus ’s quill are not barbed . They are also not vicious . Covering a porcupine ’s body , there can be anywhere from 5,000 to 7,000 quills .
Their Name Make Total Sense
Some animal name make you inquire where on solid ground they came from , but the hedgehog ’s name is wholly literal and sensical . " Hedge " refers to their habitat of choice , the garden hedging , and " hogg " signifies the grunting disturbance that they make , which is similar to the grunt of a squealer .
They Used to Have Another Sensible Name
Before they were known as Erinaceus europeaeus , the tiny mammalian was called an urchin . In the mediate ages , the hedgehog was advert to as an urchin , because it resemble the ocean urchin so intimately . Interestingly , baby hedgies are still called urchin to this day by some , although the term hoglet is a more pop baby hedgie nickname now .
They Are Lactose Intolerant
Hedgies can not digest Milk River mathematical product and are conceive lactose intolerant . Even though it seems like a cute idea to give a baby hedgie a dish of milk or a flyspeck bottle , it is best not to . They prefer piddle like most other animal .
Hedgies Have Poor Eyesight
The porcupine has an first-class nose and sense of hearing , but its sightedness is subpar . They can not see very well , specially during the daytime minute . The hedgehog tends to see better at nighttime .
They Engage in a Behavior Called Self-Anointing
If a hedgehog comes across a strong smell or taste , then it will perform a ritual called self - anointment . This is where the hedgie covers its whole organic structure with a foamy saliva , similar to how a cat will lick itself neat .
Long Hauling Legs
The Erinaceus europaeus has teeny tiny leg , and while his little limb are short and portly , they can carry him very far . In the evening hour , when the hedgie is out foraging for food , it can take the air up to two miles ! That is a middling far distance for animals this small .
Immune to Snake Venom
The hedgie has plenteousness of natural predators , but venomous snake and Scorpion do not make this lean . The hedgehog is immune to sealed venom , giving it a peg up in the animal kingdom .
Not All Hedgies Take a Seasonal Snooze
Not all hedgehogs hibernate . Their power to sleep through total seasons look on what part of the world they are residing in . Hedgies in cold climates hibernate to survive the winter calendar month . Hedgehogs in warm clime skip the seasonal snooze . Basically , these amazing little animals adapt to their surround like the boss mammalian that they clear are .
Super Swimmers
It is a misconception that hedgies ca n’t swim . In truth , they are very secure lilliputian swimmers and have been known to lap several kilometer while search for meals . Hedgies frequently savour in the water , exhibit their playful personality .
Tasty Treats
Hedgehogs have get hold their way onto human beings ' plates . Some group of people have din on hedgies when they needed to survive . In one cookery book , written back in the 1700s , a dish of hedgehog and almond was featured .
A Gardener’s Best Friend
A hedgehog is a gardener ’s good friend . Because they dine on pests like insects and snails , those who adore their shrubbery do n’t mind a little hedgie troupe at all .
Different Sounds for Different Modes
Hedgies pass through sound . They make different sounds for different communication determination . When forage for solid food , their noise will be grunt - like . When it is mating time of year , they make a " chuffing " noise . Baby hedgies will chirp to tell their Mama that it is dinnertime , and if a hedgehog wants to distinguish something to back off , they will hiss or hollo .
Don’t Call Them a Rodent
Many people wrong assume that the hedgehog is a type of gnawer . It is not ! They might resemble various kinds of rodents , but they are a different species all told .
Nocturnal Wonders
If you desire to see a hedgie in action , you ’ll need to stay put up during the nighttime hours . hedgehog are nocturnal fauna , meaning they become most active at night .
Not Nature’s Greatest Mothers
Some animate being parents are disperse moms and dads , but not ma hedgies . They only care for their young for four to seven weeks before baby hoglets set off on their own . Hedgehog ma have been eff to eat their new when a nest has been disturbed . Hedgehog pop are not much good . They head for the Hill immediately after mating with a female , never sticking around to share in any of the parenting duty .
Blind Babies
Grown hedgies are not known for their nifty eyesight , but hedgehog babies are even worsened off when it comes to this particular horse sense . Baby hedgehogs are stick out unreasoning , and they remain sightless for several calendar week before part to gain some sense of vision .
Flea Machines
A individual Erinaceus europeaeus can hold up to 500 flea at a prison term . Not to vex . Unlike some other animals and their fleas , the hedgehog flea scarcely ever bite human beings .
Fun Facts About Hedgehogs
The porcupine has been around for a very recollective time , 15 million year to be exact . Over their long sovereignty as one of the cutest beast on the entire major planet , they have evolved , adapt , and seize the hearts of people everywhere . Long hold out the hedgie !
