HedgehogsHedgehogs

► Although traditionally classified in the now Although traditionally classified in the now abandoned order Insectivore, hedgehogs are abandoned order Insectivore, hedgehogs are not exclusively insectivores but are almost not exclusively insectivores but are almost omnivorous. Hedgehogs feed on insects, omnivorous. Hedgehogs feed on insects, snails, frogs and toads, snakes, bird eggs, snails, frogs and toads, snakes, bird eggs, carrion, mushrooms, grass roots, berries, carrion, mushrooms, grass roots, berries, melons and watermelons. Berries constitute melons and watermelons. Berries constitute a major part of an Afghan hedgehog's diet in a major part of an Afghan hedgehog's diet in early spring after hibernation.early spring after hibernation.

Hedgehog Hedgehog

White hedgehog'sWhite hedgehog's

Spines are white, banded by pale Spines are white, banded by pale orange-beige.orange-beige.The under body is white.The under body is white.The face is not masked.The face is not masked.The eyes are ruby-red.The eyes are ruby-red.The nose is pink.The nose is pink.

White hedgehog White hedgehog

Facts about hedgehogs

A hedgehog is any of the spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae, which is in order Erinaceomorpha. There are seventeen species of hedgehog in five genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and New Zealand (by introduction). There are no hedgehogs native to Australia, and no living species native to the Americas. Hedgehogs share distant ancestry with shrews (order Soricidae), with gymnures possibly being the intermediate link, and have changed little over the last 15 million years.2 Like many of the first mammals they have adapted to a nocturnal,3 insectivorous way of life. Hedgehogs' spiny protection resembles that of the unrelated rodent porcupines and monotreme echidnas.

The name hedgehog came into use around the year 1450, derived from the Middle English heyghoge, from heyg, hegge ("hedge"), because it frequents hedgerows, and hoge, hogge ("hog"), from its piglike snout.4 Other names include urchin, hedgepig and furze-pig.

What hedgehogs eatWhat hedgehogs eat

Although traditionally classified in the now Although traditionally classified in the now abandoned order Insectivorous, hedgehogs are abandoned order Insectivorous, hedgehogs are notnot exclusively exclusively insectivores but are almost but are almost omnivorous. Hedgehogs feed on omnivorous. Hedgehogs feed on insects, , snails, , frogs and and toads, snakes, bird eggs, carrion, , snakes, bird eggs, carrion, mushrooms, grass roots, berries, melons and mushrooms, grass roots, berries, melons and watermelons. Berries constitute a major part of an watermelons. Berries constitute a major part of an Afghan hedgehog's diet in early spring after Afghan hedgehog's diet in early spring after hibernation.hibernation.

BabyBaby

Hedgehog Breeding & Hedgehog Breeding & Rearing YoungRearing Young

The hedgehog's breeding season lasts from about The hedgehog's breeding season lasts from about April until September. The main period of activity is April until September. The main period of activity is in May and June, when the nights are warm. The in May and June, when the nights are warm. The gestation period for hedgehogs is about four and a gestation period for hedgehogs is about four and a half weeks. Most baby hedgehogs are born in July half weeks. Most baby hedgehogs are born in July and June. Females that lose their litter for some and June. Females that lose their litter for some reason are capable of having a second litter, but reason are capable of having a second litter, but they are unlikely to come after October. The they are unlikely to come after October. The average family size is about 4 or 5, possibly 6 or 7. average family size is about 4 or 5, possibly 6 or 7. So, theoretically, given that a female can have 2 So, theoretically, given that a female can have 2 litters a year, a female hedgehog could raise 10 litters a year, a female hedgehog could raise 10 babies in a year. This is unlikely, as most of these babies in a year. This is unlikely, as most of these baby hedgehogs would die. A more realistic figure is baby hedgehogs would die. A more realistic figure is that a female could raise 2, possibly 3 babies a year. that a female could raise 2, possibly 3 babies a year.

Baby white hedgehogsBaby white hedgehogs

The mummy & daddy stay together The mummy & daddy stay together with the baby until it has grown up.with the baby until it has grown up.

Facts about the mum & dad having Facts about the mum & dad having a babya baby

• A new baby can put a huge strain on any relationship. Having a new baby in the house is not a learning curve, it's a learning cliff. There's the stress of doing lots of things for the first time, the lack of sleep, her hormone levels changing and her recovery from the physical exertions of labour to deal with. Just remember that this bit isn't going to last forever and hey, you've got a baby!

The Hedgehogs Body on The The Hedgehogs Body on The OutsideOutside

You cannot mistake hedgehogs for anything You cannot mistake hedgehogs for anything else. They are Britain's only spiny mammal. The else. They are Britain's only spiny mammal. The spines are without doubt the hedgehog's most spines are without doubt the hedgehog's most intriguing feature. A 1lb 5oz (600g) hedgehog intriguing feature. A 1lb 5oz (600g) hedgehog has 5,000 - 6,000 spines. Many people do not has 5,000 - 6,000 spines. Many people do not actually know the colour of the hedgehog's actually know the colour of the hedgehog's spines. They are brown at the base, and fade to spines. They are brown at the base, and fade to white at the top. If you look closely at a white at the top. If you look closely at a hedgehog you will notice that they have a white hedgehog you will notice that they have a white tint to them. tint to them.

Baby Baby HedgehogsHedgehogs body body

Hedgehogs fruitHedgehogs fruit

Hedgehogs love to eat fruit.Hedgehogs love to eat fruit.

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