HEDGEHOGS

BY: OIER AND ANDER

SPINESHedgehogs are about 25cm long, and weigh about

1kg. They have 6000 spines to protec them from predators. The spines are not poisonous. They are not easy to remove.

BABYSHedgehots have up to seven babies in a litter. The

babies have short soft spines when they are born. Soon after, their spines become longer and stiffer. Like kittens, baby hedgehogs do not open their eyes until some time after they are born. After about three weeks, they can safely follow their mother out of the nest when she goes to look for food.

NOCTURNAL

Hedgehogs live in hedges and gardens. They are nocturnal animals. They prefer to sleep during the day and to come out at night. Hedgehogs hibernate in winter. They eat small mice, snails, lizards and frogs-and sometimes even snakes! When a hedgehog goes after snake, its spines protect in from the snake´s bite.

SLEEPINGWhen hedgehogs go to sleep, they curl up into a

ball. This is to protect the parts of their bodies wich do not have spines-their heads, their legs and their bellies. Foxes, bagders and other predators leave the hedgehog and look for easier prey-especyally prey, that is not coveder with spines.

MOVING

Although hedgehogs normally stay on the ground, they can swim quite well and can even climb trees. If a hedgehog falls from a tree, its spines are useful again. When it lands on the ground, it bounces because of its spines.