Interested in getting to know more about hedgehogs? They are interesting creatures with plenty to learn about! Here is a list some basic info and interesting hedgehog facts to get help you expand your knowledge.
Basic Hedgehog Facts:
- There are a total of 15 species of hedgehogs.
- Hedgehogs are native to Africa, Asia and Europe.
- The scientific name for hedgehogs is Erinaceinae.
- African Pygmy hedgehogs are by far the most common pet hedgehogs.
- Hedgehogs are insectivores, and eat mainly insects in the wild.
- Hedgies are nocturnal, and sleep during the day.
- In the wild, European hedgehogs hibernate during the cold months.
- Hedgehogs quills are actually individual spines.
- They have between 5,000 and 6,500 spines.
- Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant.
Cute Hedgehog Facts:
- A baby hedgehog is called a hoglet or pup, and is born after 32 days.
- Hedgehogs are born in litters of 1 to up to 9 hoglets.
- Hedgehogs can climb trees.
- They can also swim quite well.
- They love running on a hamster wheel in their cage.
- Hedgies also love playing with empty toilet paper tubes (cut down the middle so they don’t get stuck!)
- Some hedgehogs are quite snugly and affectionate, while others are very grumpy most of the time.
Interesting Hedgehog Facts:
- When threatened, hedgehogs are able to curl up in a ball, extending their quills for defense.
- Hedgehogs are born blind.
- Hedgehogs can run faster than 6 feet per second when necessary.
- They are solitary animals, preferring to be on their own and only pairing up to mate.
- Hedgehogs self-anoint when they come into contact with certain scents – a process where they disperse saliva onto their quills. It is unknown why they do this.
- A hedgehog’s quills are filled with air pockets on the inside.
Know any other hedgehog facts we should add? Let us know at {info @ hedgehogcare101.com}
is there a way you can tell what sex they are.
When you turn them onto their back, a male will have a belly button a third the way up his tummy.