Hedgehog | Small Mammal, Nocturnal Habits & Spines (2024)

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Also known as: Erinaceinae

Written by

Guy Musser Archbold Curator Emeritus Vertebrate Zoology and Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History, New York City, U.S.

Guy Musser

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hedgehog

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Related Topics:
desert hedgehog
African hedgehog
steppe hedgehog
western European hedgehog
Hemiechinus aethiopicus

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hedgehog, (subfamily Erinaceinae), any of 15 Old World species of insectivores possessing several thousand short, smooth spines. Most species weigh under 700 grams (1.5 pounds), but the common western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) can grow to 1,100 grams. Body length is 14 to 30 cm (5.5 to 12 inches), and there is a stumpy and sparsely furred tail measuring 1 to 6 cm. In addition to the three species of Eurasian hedgehogs (genus Erinaceus), there are four African hedgehogs (genus Atelerix), six desert hedgehogs (genus Hemiechinus), and two steppe hedgehogs (genus Mesechinus). European hedgehogs are kept as pets, as is the African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).

All hedgehogs are similar in body form, but some desert species have larger ears and longer legs. The short, stocky body is densely covered with spines except for the underside, legs, face, and ears. The cream-coloured spines are banded with brown and black, and coloration of the upperparts ranges from speckled cream to brown, depending upon the width of the pigmented bands; some individuals are black (melanistic). The underside is covered by a sparse, coarse coat, ranging from white to black (sometimes mottled), depending upon the species. The face may be white, brownish, or exhibiting a masked pattern. The limbs are thin and very short, but the feet are large and bear long, curved claws (the first toe is small or absent in Atelerix). Although the eyes are large, vision is poor. Hearing and smell, however, are acute; the ears are conspicuous, and the tapered, mobile muzzle ends in a moist, hairless nose.

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Hedgehogs crouch, hiss, and erect their spines at the slightest danger, but their best defense is to curl into a protective ball. “Rolling up” is made possible primarily by a muscle that encircles the body from neck to rump along the sides of the body just beneath the skin and within which the peripheral spines are embedded. As the animal curls, this muscle and several smaller connecting muscles contract the upperparts into a bag (like a drawstring) into which the head, body, and legs are drawn. The normally oblique spines become erect, and the animal is transformed into a ball of formidable sharp spines that completely protect the vulnerable head, appendages, and soft belly. In this configuration hedgehogs are usually protected against mammalian predators, but they are still vulnerable to some species of hawks, eagles, and owls owing to the birds’ scaly legs and long, sharp talons. Hedgehogs walk in a slow toddle or with short, rapid steps, depending upon the species, and stop frequently to sniff the air. They are also capable of short bursts of speed, raising their body high off the ground as they run on the hairless soles of their feet.

Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal but are sometimes active during the day following light rainfall. They are terrestrial, though some can climb and swim. Hedgehogs shelter by day beneath vegetation, in rock crevices, beneath overhanging rock ledges, or in burrows they excavate by using their forefeet. They also use the burrows of other mammals, especially hares and foxes. Some species, including the western European hedgehog, hibernate during the winter months, having accumulated fat under the skin and around the viscera and shoulders. At the hibernation temperature of 4 °C (39 °F), the heartbeat slows from 190 to 20 per minute, and breathing is reduced to 10 inhalations per minute. Other species living in especially hot or seasonal regions may enter short periods of torpor. They construct large nests of dry vegetation in burrow chambers or beneath vegetation on dry ground.

The hedgehog’s diet consists of insects, other arthropods (including venomous spiders and scorpions), snails, slugs, frogs and toads, lizards, snakes (including venomous species), bird eggs, nestlings, and fallen fruit. Hedgehogs use their acute sense of smell to locate food, grabbing active prey with the mouth as they root around in leaf litter and among plant roots. They snuffle and snort while foraging and manipulate prey solely with the mouth, chewing with noisy smacking of the jaws. Hedgehogs will lick or chew unfamiliar substances or objects and produce copious frothy saliva and then plaster the froth over and between their spines and onto other parts of the body. The significance of this behaviour is unknown.

Hedgehogs are solitary, tolerating one another only during courtship and copulation and until the young are old enough at four to seven weeks to disperse from the nest. There are one to three annual litters of 1 to 11 offspring, with gestation lasting 31 to 42 days. The young are blind and helpless and have soft scattered white spines at birth that are replaced in three to five days by darker permanent spines. Western European hedgehogs can curl into a ball by 11 days after birth. Females will sometimes eat their offspring if the nest is disturbed soon after birth, and males will attack and eat young hedgehogs of the same species. They have a life span of up to seven years.

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Hedgehogs range throughout Eurasia south of the taiga and tundra (excluding Japan and the Tibetan Plateau) into Asia Minor and the Arabian Peninsula, most of Africa (excluding tropical rainforest), and various portions of India. The western European hedgehog inhabits forest margins, grasslands, scrub, hedgerows, and suburban gardens. It also has been introduced into New Zealand. The desert hedgehog (Hemiechinus aethiopicus) survives in the extremely arid Sahara and on the Arabian Peninsula, where populations are concentrated around oases and vegetated wadis.

Hedgehogs comprise a subfamily (Erinaceinae) of family Erinaceidae, which also includes the moonrat and the gymnures (subfamily Galericinae) of Southeast Asia and the Philippines. The name hedgehog can more broadly be applied to all species in this family. Hedgehogs are closely related to gymnures. Together the hedgehogs and gymnures comprise the family Erinaceidae, the only living family in the order Erinaceomorpha. The evolutionary relationship of this family to other mammals, particularly shrews, solenodons, moles, golden moles, and tenrecs, is unresolved.

Guy Musser

Hedgehog | Small Mammal, Nocturnal Habits & Spines (2024)

FAQs

Hedgehog | Small Mammal, Nocturnal Habits & Spines? ›

Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal but are sometimes active during the day following light rainfall. They are terrestrial, though some can climb and swim. Hedgehogs shelter by day beneath vegetation, in rock crevices, beneath overhanging rock ledges, or in burrows they excavate by using their forefeet.

Do hedgehogs have spines? ›

Hedgehogs shed their spines over time, with new ones growing in to replace them, just like our hair! An adult hedgehog has between 5,000 and 7,000 spines on it's body. A hedgehog's spines are its main mode of defence against predators. When threatened, the hedgehog will curl up into a tight, spiky ball.

What are the nocturnal adaptations of a hedgehog? ›

A nocturnal creature, hedgehogs patrol at night for food, climbing trees to consume insects and eggs found on the branches. The ability to climb allows hedgehogs to adapt to their surroundings with the ability to both burrow underground for safety and climb trees to escape predators.

Do hedgehogs have spines for protection? ›

The spines cover everything of their body except the underside, legs, face and ears. The spines are cream in colour with brown and black bands. Spiny hedgehogs curl their body into a ball when threatened, so only their spines are showing. Through spines, hedgehogs protect themselves from other wild animals.

Is a hedgehog a nocturnal animal? ›

Hedgehogs are nocturnal and only come out at night. They are covered with a coat of very sharp spines, which are hollow and made of keratin (like your fingernails). Hedgehogs can roll into a ball and the spines will protect them from predators, except badgers and the occasional dog.

Can hedgehogs detach their spines? ›

Just like your hair, a hedgehog's quills can fall out or break off, but the hedgehog cannot shoot its quills to defend itself. In Europe, people consider hedgehogs to be friends of backyards and gardens. These hedgehogs are often found in flower beds, vegetable gardens, and compost heaps.

What are some fun facts about hedgehog hibernation? ›

Hedgehog hibernation

During hibernation hedgehogs are not really asleep, instead they drop their body temperature to match their surroundings and enter a state of torpor. This allows them to save a lot of energy but slows down all other bodily functions making normal activity impossible.

What do hedgehogs do all night? ›

Hedgehogs sleep in the day and attend to business at night. What they're doing at night is mainly eating. Hedgehogs need to eat a lot of food for their size. They will eat up to 100 beetles and other invertebrates in one night.

What are 3 adaptations specific to nocturnal animals? ›

Many nocturnal animals have adaptations for better night vision, and the other senses are much more developed in nocturnal animals than in diurnal animals. For example, they use their hearing, smelling, tasting, touching, and vision to navigate through the night.

Why do hedgehogs lick their spines? ›

The hedgehogs then lick their spines, spreading the saliva with the plant”s poison all over the spikes. Scientists believe this may help hedgehogs hide their scent from predators, or give them a nasty shock shock should they attack!

What happens if a hedgehog pricks you? ›

Hedgehogs have quills, which may poke you. This is exactly like pricking your finger with a needle when you are sewing on a button, or whatever. You do not have to do anything. Wash the poked area with soap and water and then move on.

How sharp are hedgehog spines? ›

The African Pygmy hedgehog has about 7,000 spines which are about 5/16 inch long (9 mm) and are hollow on the inside. They are shed from time to time. When erect they are very, very sharp, but when flattened they feel quite soft. Think of them as like tiny plastic drinking straws - with a needle point.

Can you train a hedgehog to not be nocturnal? ›

No, do not change his schedule. Hedgehogs are nocturnal by nature and it really isn't healthy to try to change them. Do feel free to wake him up to play during the day. Turn the lights down and keep the TV quiet.

What is the lifespan of a hedgehog? ›

Hedgehogs are adorable little insect eating mammals that live, on average, 4-7 years when kept as pets. They are known for being timid little animals, but as any hedgehog owner will tell you, hedgehogs respond to their owner's voice and appearance and are very interactive if socialized properly.

What are the special features of a hedgehog? ›

Hedgehogs have a coat of stiff, sharp spines. If attacked they will curl into a prickly and unappetizing ball that deters most predators. They usually sleep in this position during the day and awaken to search for food at night. Hedgehogs hibernate in cold climates.

Do hedgehogs have spikes that hurt? ›

Hedgehogs will generally try to run away from people or if shocked will curl up in to a spiky ball. They have sharp needles all over their backs which can penetrate the skin. It will often itch if a needle does and may cause a rash.

Are hedgehogs prickly to hold? ›

Caretakers note that it takes a lot of time and effort to get a hedgehog to tolerate being held. Like porcupines, hedgehogs have sharp, prickly quills that they use to fend off predators. When they feel anxious or threatened, these spikes stand up in all directions, making the animals difficult to handle.

Is it safe to touch a hedgehog? ›

Keep in mind. Always wear gloves if you have to handle a hedgehog, as they can carry diseases like ringworm and salmonella bacteria which can be passed to humans. Don't handle the hedgehog any more than you need to because contact with humans will be stressful for them.

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