Could someone please tell me something about hedgehogs?

mibmob

The European Hedgehog, Erinaceus europeaus, is a mammal of the order Insectivora, about 20cm in length. Its back is covered in spines, and when threatened it rolls itself up in a ball. It thus has few natural predators, primarily birds/owls and humans (its defense strategy is ill-adapted to road vehicles). It is common in Europe, and often can be found in gardens -- where they are considered a useful form of biological pest control. Its diet consists of snails, worms, and insects, but many people put food out for hedgehogs. Cow's milk is harmful to them since hedgehog's milk has a different fat content. Dog or cat food is OK for this insect and meat-eating species. However, a food higher in protein, specifically made for an insectivore, is far better. It has become a serious pest on some Scottish islands, where introduced hedgehogs eat the eggs of scarce birds such as terns. Its gestation period is 58 days; and they live 4-7 years, though longer is known: up to 16. Nov 15 03, 12:39 PM

harish_256

Hedgehogs are probably our most familiar garden mammals, common in city parks and gardens as well as the countryside across Britain. They are very useful to the gardener, as they eat many garden pests. HEDGEHOG FEATURES Hedgehogs have short, sharp, stiff spines over the back and sides, short legs and a pointed snout. The underside is covered with dense fur and the animal will roll into a ball when alarmed. This presents the spines towards danger, but is the main reason why so many become road casualties. FOOD Hedgehogs mainly eat beetles, caterpillars, earthworms and slugs. Many people put out a saucer of bread and milk for them, but this can be harmful as their stomach cannot digest bread, and cow's milk is a breeding ground for germs and can cause stomach upsets. A better diet would consist of tinned dog or cat food (but not fish-based varieties), minced meat, chopped liver, or scrambled egg. Dog biscuits, bran and peanuts can be used to supplement the diet and to provide roughage but sweet foods such as chocolate and fruit should be avoided, as they are bad for their teeth. It is very important to ensure that a supply of fresh water is always available. HIBERNATION Hedgehogs spend the winter in hibernation, as they are unable to find sufficient food outside in the cold weather. Younger animals may be at risk if they have been unable to build up sufficient reserves to keep them alive. Those over 1lb.in weight will probably survive, and should be left alone, but those weighing less are unlikely to live unless taken indoors, given plenty to eat (see section on food), and kept warm. A suitable place could be a large box lined with hay, crumpled paper or dried leaves. If the hedgehog is very young, place a hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket at the bottom of the box. Once they have reached a weight of 1-1.5lbs., hedgehogs can be released into the wild during a spell of mild, dry weather. Adult hedgehogs hibernate for short periods during the coldest weather. They may not enter hibernation until December and become active again in March or April. Individuals may be seen during this time as they briefly emerge in a spell of warmer weather. BREEDING The female makes a nest of grass, well hidden in the undergrowth. She has 2 - 4 babies that are born naked, with closed eyes. She suckles them and they grow quickly. They leave the nest after about 3 weeks and become independent. INTERESTING FACTS Hedgehogs visit several gardens within an area - and as many as 10 different individuals may visit the same garden over a period of several nights, so the hedgehog you see in the garden may not be the same every time. Most wild hedgehogs have fleas, but these only live on hedgehogs, and cannot be transferred to cats, dogs, or humans. The hedgehog is a very noisy animal and can be heard crashing through the undergrowth or snuffling in ditches on quiet nights. To encourage hedgehogs (and other wildlife), leave some wild areas in the garden, and avoid 'tidying up' too much. Leave plenty of dead leaves in which they can hibernate - and always check before starting bonfires, in case a hedgehog is sheltering there. Don't use slug pellets. These are poisonous to hedgehogs and many other animals. Injured hedgehogs should be taken to the nearest R.S.P.C.A centre or vet. It is quite safe to pick up a hedgehog - but be sure to wear gloves! Hedgehogs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, so it is illegal to trap or kill them. Nov 15 03, 12:41 PM

TheAlphaWolf

they are insectivorous, they are mammals, they rubb things like cigarett butts into their spines (it came from the behavior they do in the wild that they rubb toad's poison in their spines for protection), they OBVIOUSLY have spines (duh...lol) they roll into a ball when you pick them up, they don't have a tail (not sure... if they do you can't see it unless you look closely) anyway it is not ok to release hedgehogs into the wild, as someone said. It has become a serious pest on some Scottish islands, where introduced hedgehogs eat the eggs of scarce birds such as terns. Nov 15 03, 12:41 PM

gmackematix

Young ones are called hoglets, the smell of creosote drives them into a licking drooling frenzy and despite being bad for them they steal cow's milk from their udders at night. The old heraldic name for them is urchin and poorly ones are looked after by Mrs Tiggywinkle's hospital. Nov 15 03, 1:04 PM

Senior Moments

Hedgehogs give birth to one to seven babies which are born with the spines just below the skin. Spines start to appear within 24 hours. Hedgehogs help to control insect and vermin populations. They show a high tolerance to toxins, both natural and human-made. They have been known to consume many animals whose toxins could be fatal to humans including certain beetles, wasps, bees, and venomous snakes. Nov 15 03, 4:00 PM

Siskin

The Romany name for them is hotchi-witchi, and they are covered in clay before baking on hot coals. When cool the prickles come off easily enabling the hog to be consumed easily. A great delicacy. I remember this from school - so whether this tradition is still going I wouldn't like to say. Nov 15 03, 4:11 PM

gmackematix

According to one book I have the only colour they can see is yellow. There's more... Hedgehogs are 700 times more resistant to toxins than humans. Besides the European there are 13 other species incluing the African white-bellied, the Desert and Long-eared Hedgehogs. All have the pointy snout, spines and short legs. Hoglets are born white with soft spines covered in a membrane. Their litters tend to have twice as many males as femmales. Hedgehogs make various noises including clicks and snorts. They squeal when upset and purr when happy. Hedgehogs mate from behind with the female laying down her spines and the male climbing on top and inserting his barbed organ. They have long tongues to clean their spines and the licking, drooling frenzy I referred to earlier is triggered by a number of smells and is called self-anointing. Nov 15 03, 10:03 PM

gmackematix

I recently read that Australia does not have hedgehogs but New Zealand has more of them than Britain. Jan 09 05, 1:30 AM

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