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HEDGEHOG
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hedgehog is a small spiny mammal found in parts of Europe, Asia,
Africa, and New Zealand. There are no hedgehogs native to Australia,
and no living species native to North America. There are 16 species of
hedgehogs. They are easily distinguished by their spines, which are
hollow hairs made stiff with keratin. Unlike the porcupine, the spines
of the hedgehog are not poisonous or barbed. Spines normally come out
when a hedgehog sheds baby spines and replaces them with adult spines
around the first year. When under extreme stress or during sickness, a
hedgehog will lose spines. Hedgehogs are usually nocturnal, although
some species are more like to come out in the day than others. |
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defense that all species of hedgehogs possess is the ability to roll
into a tight ball, causing all of the spines to point outwards.
However, its effectiveness depends on the number of spines, and since
some of the desert hedgehogs evolved to carry less weight, they are
much more likely to try to run away and sometimes even attack the
intruder, trying to ram into the intruder with its spines, leaving
rolling as a last resort.
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