Hedgehogs

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• Scientific Classification:
  • Order: Eulipotyphla
  • Family: Erinaceidae
  • Subfamily: Erinaceinae
• Species Count: 17 recognized species across 5 genera2
• Native Regions: Europe, Asia, Africa; introduced to New Zealand. Not native to the Americas

📏 Physical Traits

• Size: 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) depending on species
• Weight: 1–2.5 pounds (450–1100g)
• Spines: ~6,000 keratinized quills — not barbed or poisonous3
• Color Variants: Typically brown with pale tips; rare blonde hedgehogs found on Alderney Island

🌙 Behavior & Lifestyle

• Nocturnal: Most active at night; sleep under bushes or in burrows during the day2
• Defense Mechanism: Curl into a tight ball, exposing only spines
• Communication: Grunts, snuffles, squeals — surprisingly vocal
• Quilling: Juveniles shed baby spines and grow adult ones

🍽️ Diet

• Wild Diet: Insects, worms, beetles, termites, and other small invertebrates
• Captive Diet: High-protein, low-fat — often includes kibble, mealworms, fruits, and veggies

🏡 Habitat Preferences

• Wild: Forests, meadows, deserts, savannas, and urban gardens
• Captivity: Require spacious enclosures with hiding spots, exercise wheels, and temperature control

🧬 Popular Pet Species

• African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)**:
  • Most common in the pet trade
  • Domesticated through generations of breeding
  • Known for docile temperament and manageable size

💡 Fun Facts

• Hedgehogs perform a ritual called “anointing” — they lick and spread frothy saliva on their spines when encountering new scents
• Despite their spiny armor, they’re incredibly sensitive to sound and smell
• Their name comes from “hedge” (where they forage) and “hog” (from their pig-like snout)