Hedgehog
"Small enough to fit in your hands but too
prickly to hold" is a good description of the hedgehog. Though
small, it is by no means defenseless. Thousands of stiff, sharp spines-harder
and sharper than those of a porcupine-cover the animal's back and
sides, like a pincushion filled with needles.
Physical Characteristic
Even though spines, or quills, provide the hedgehog with effective
protection, the animal's most striking characteristic is its practice
of curling up into a tight ball, with its spines sticking out in all
directions. When the hedgehog rolls up, a special, highly developed
circular muscle that runs along the sides of the body and across the
rump and neck contracts and forms a "bag" into which the
body, head and legs are folded. The hedgehog curls up if disturbed
or frightened-only the strongest predators, such as the badger, can
pry it open. It also sleeps in this position, so is rarely caught
unprotected.
Habitat
Hedgehogs inhabit a wide range across a variety
of climates and terrains in East Africa. Although not found in the
Americas, other species of hedgehogs live in different parts of Africa,
Europe and Asia, as well as in New Zealand, where they have been introduced.
Their distribution on the different continents is, however, very local.
They must have dry shelters on well-drained soil and a good supply
of ground-dwelling insects and other invertebrates. Suburban Nairobi
meets these habitat conditions, where hedgehogs are reported to be
abundant.
A hedgehog uses a small home range with an approximate 120-yard
radius from its nest. The nest is built in dry litter under tangles
of hedge or bush, rock crevices, termite mounds or under buildings.
The hedgehog chatters, snorts or softly growls if its range is invaded
by another animal.
Behavior
Hedgehogs are nocturnal and sleep most of the day.
Some species hibernate in winter and others sleep or remain inactive
during the dry, hot summer. Scientists report that before these periods,
hedgehogs acquire a thick deposit of fat to live off while inactive.
Though in some areas temperature changes seem to trigger the inactivity,
the availability and quality of food are also factors. In Nairobi,
hedgehogs are rarely seen during the height of the dry season, but
are very conspicuous during and after rainy seasons, when insects
are abundant.
Diet
The hedgehog wakes up at dusk, and as a solitary
animal, usually begins its nocturnal activities alone. It uses regular
pathways, and toddling along on its short legs, starts searching for
food. A hedgehog will eat the equivalent of one-third of its body
weight in one night. Its favorite foods are insects, earthworms, snails
and slugs, making it a welcome guest in many suburban gardens-it is
even kept as a pet in some. The hedgehog varies its diet more than
many other insectivores and consumes a wide range of animal and vegetable
foods. It is known to eat eggs, small mammals, ground-nesting birds,
frogs, reptiles, fruit, fungi and roots. Although not completely immune
to insect toxins and snake venoms, hedgehogs have enough resistance
to allow them to eat poisonous snakes.
Caring for the Young
Two to 10 (but an average of five) young are born
in a litter. Their eyes open at 2 weeks. They are covered with soft
white spines, which are shed and replaced by permanent ones at about
1 month. By then the circular muscle is developed, and they can then
roll themselves into a ball. The mother suckles them for about 40
days. Toward the end of the suckling period, they accompany the mother
when she forages for food and begin to eat solid food. Soon after
the young are weaned, the family breaks up, and each goes its separate
way. Young hedgehogs become sexually mature at about 1 year and are
capable of producing two to three litters a year.
Predators
Even though protected somewhat by their spines,
hedgehogs are prey for carnivores and some large birds, especially
Verreaux's eagle owls.
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