What is a hedgehog?

Small Mammals

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by Kate Simmons >> more about the author

What’s prickly, grunts like a pig when moving through hedges in search of food, and can curl into a ball when it senses danger? It’s a hedgehog, an animal that’s as interesting as it looks! The hedgehog is a mammal with a spiny coat and a stumpy tail. In fact, the spines of a hedgehog are short and smooth, but they can stand up straight if the animal feels the need to protect itself.

Most hedgehogs weigh less than 1 ½ pounds and are no more than one foot long. While it’s no doubt that the hedgehog is a prickly creature, there are softer, spine-free areas on its body, such as the face, ears, legs and underside. Though some hedgehogs are lighter than others, the spines of many are cream-colored with brown, black, or orange-toned bands. Despite their big eyes, hedgehogs do not see well, although they make up for it with their powerful senses of hearing and smell!

The hedgehog will curl into a spiny ball when threatened, which protects its head, legs and belly, and makes it difficult for predators to carry it away. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, coming out at night to hunt a variety of critters, including insects, lizards, snakes, snails, mice, frogs and toads. Mother hedgehogs may give birth to up to 11 babies at a time!

Hedgehogs can be found in Africa, Europe, Asia and New Zealand, although they are kept as pets in other areas of the world!

Make a toothpick hedgehog! Use craft dough to mold a hedgehog body. Start with a ball, then gently squeeze it to lengthen the shape to a more oval formation. Add short legs by forming little cylinders of dough, then pressing them into the body to attach them. Now it’s time for the fun! Carefully cover the outside of the hedgehog with toothpicks. That’s one prickly project!