What are some fun facts about hedgehogs?

Fascinating Facts You Might Not Have Known About Hedgehogs
  • A group of hedgehogs is called an 'array'.
  • A hedgehog has between 5000 and 7000 quills (spikes)! ...
  • There are 17 different species of hedgehog.
  • Hedgehogs have very poor eyesight, so rely predominantly on their smell and hearing to navigate.

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What are 5 interesting facts about hedgehogs?

Here are some of the fascinating things that your little ones might to hear about.
  • They are nocturnal. ...
  • They are called hedgehogs for a reason. ...
  • Hedgehogs can hibernate. ...
  • Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant. ...
  • They weren't always called hedgehogs. ...
  • Their long snout is useful. ...
  • They don't use their eyes to hunt.

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What is unique about a hedgehog?

Hedgehogs are famous for their prickly spines, which they have everywhere except on their face, legs and bellies. These cute critters depend on their spines for defense, both while they sleep and when they face enemies.

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How did hedgehogs get their name?

The hedgehog was named because of its peculiar foraging methods. These animals root through hedges and other undergrowth in search of the small creatures that compose the bulk of their diet—insects, worms, centipedes, snails, mice, frogs, and snakes.

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Do hedgehogs have venom?

Hedgehogs get a special mention because although they do not produce venom, they have been observed to use venom in their defenses. That is, they use venom from other animal sources. Some hedgehogs chew on the skin of poisonous toads and then use the toad venom to coat their own spines.

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Fun Facts About Hedgehog | FACTS About Hedgehogs You Should Know

44 related questions found

Do hedgehogs eat snakes?

Diet of Wild Hedgehogs

Occasionally, hedgehogs even eat vertebrates, such as snakes, lizards and frogs.

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What is the Australian version of a hedgehog?

The short-beaked echidna is found in Australia and southern New Guinea. The echidna looks kind of like a cross between an anteater and a porcupine or hedgehog. The top of the body is covered with sharp spines.

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Are hedgehogs native to Australia?

There are seventeen species of hedgehog in five genera found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in New Zealand by introduction. There are no hedgehogs native to Australia and no living species native to the Americas. However, the extinct genus Amphechinus was once present in North America.

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How old is the oldest hedgehog?

The oldest hedgehog in the sample was 16 years old - the oldest scientifically documented European hedgehog ever found. Two other individuals lived for 13 and 11 years respectively. The previous record holder lived for 9 years.

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What are 10 facts about hedgehogs?

  • Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant. ...
  • They are nocturnal. ...
  • Hedgehogs can hibernate. ...
  • A baby hedgehog is called a hoglet. ...
  • Hedgehogs have between 5000 and 7000 spines. ...
  • A group of hedgehogs is called an array. ...
  • They can walk over two miles in one night. ...
  • Their name suits their character.

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What is a hedgehog's favorite thing to do?

Like many pocket pets, hedgehogs love to explore mazes and tunnels. This will keep Hedgie active, and offer him mental stimulation. You can buy labyrinths, or make your own out of shoeboxes or PVC pipe. To make your pet's explorations even more fun for him, hide a snack at the end of the tunnel.

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Are hedgehogs smart?

The intelligence of a hedgehog is to that of a hamster, they may learn certain behaviors through positive reinforcement or conditioning but only at a very basic level. Hedgehogs are known to be very communicative when it comes to their needs, and often make a low purring sound when they are happy or content.

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How old is a 5 year old hedgehog?

A 5-year-old hedgehog is about 76 in human years, so if your hedgehog lives 5-7 years it has lived a full life, but five years is longer than the national average.

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Can hedgehogs hug?

It depends on the personality of the individual hedgehog and how much handling the hedgehog has had in the past. Some hedgehogs do seem to like to snuggle up to their human companions, while others might be shyer or simply prefer exploring and moving about over sitting still and cuddling.

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Can hedgehogs roll into a ball?

When they are frightened, or annoyed, hedgehogs will roll into a ball so that an predator will feel the full brunt of its sharp spines and will then leave the hedgehog alone. You wouldn't want to eat something that pokey would you?

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Do hedgehogs lay eggs?

EXPLANATION: Kangaroo, Hedgehog, Dolphin and Loris all belongs to class mammalia. They are viviparous, means these type of animals can give birth to a living young instead of laying eggs.

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What pets are legal in Australia?

Vertebrates. Currently only dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and selected species of birds from approved countries may be imported as pets and only when strict conditions are met. No other vertebrate animals are approved for import into Australia as pets.

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Are hedgehogs rare?

Their characteristic spines develop under the skin before birth, and emerge shortly afterwards as a defence against predators. Across their range, hedgehogs are generally very common, and are classified as Least Concern on the International Red List of Threatened Species.

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What is a gold hedgehog?

Meet the Gold Hedgehog, the newest arrival to our Hedgehog family! The Gold chocolate shell is made of caramelized white chocolate with notes of toffee and toasted caramel, enrobing the classic hazelnut gianduja centre. This pack of 3 is the perfect midday snack or pick-me-up.

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What is the rarest hedgehog?

Possibly the rarest of all hedgehogs, the Algerian Black Hedgehog is the trickiest to identify and purchase.

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What is a female hedgehog called?

Female hedgehogs are known as sows, and they will give birth to a litter of 3-4 or 5-6 newborns, depending on the species of hedgehog. The name for a baby hedgehog is a hoglet.

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Do hedgehogs eat dead rats?

Hedgehogs are mostly insectivorous, so will prey on beetles, caterpillars and earthworms. Occasionally they may eat amphibians, small rodents and birds that are already dead, slugs and snails, birds' eggs and even fruit.

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Do hedgehogs eat pigs?

Pet hedgehogs may eat such table foods as cooked, lean chicken, turkey, beef or pork (in moderation due to fat content). Hedgehogs will often eat small amounts of vegetable and can be given small amounts of fruit as treats . Baby food is a common way to feed treats.

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What food do hedgehogs hate?

Toxic foods are poisonous to hedgehogs and should be completely avoided.
  • Grapes.
  • Raisins.
  • Tea Tree oil.
  • Chocolate.
  • Avocado.
  • Garlic.
  • Potato.
  • Egg yolk.

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