Essay On Hedgehogs

I will be talking about hedgehogs, and what they are, and along with what they do. First, hHedgehogs are mammals that are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. There are some fifteen species of hedgehogs in these listed countries, says National Geographic (nN.dD.). Hedgehogs have also been introduced into nontraditional ranges such as New Zealand.

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. As a hedgehog picks through the hedges, it emits pig-like grunts,- thus, the name hedgehog, National Geographic (N.D.). Some people consider hedgehogs useful pets because they prey on many common garden pests. While on the hunt, they rely upon their senses of hearing and smell because their eyesight is weak.

Hedgehogs have a coat of stiff, sharp spines. If, attacked, they will curl into a prickly and unappetizing ball that deters most predators. They usually sleep in this position during the day, and awaken to search for food at night, says National Geographic (N.D.). Hedgehogs hibernate in cold climates. In deserts, they sleep through heat and drought in a similar process called aestivation. They remain active all in more temperate locations.

These solitary animals typically couple only for mating. The young born each year, in litters ranging from one to eleven, remain with their mothers for only four to seven weeks before heading out on their own. Among the predators, females must guard against during this period against other male hedgehogs during this period, which will sometimes prey upon the young. Hedgehog mothers have also been ...

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... October. The average family size is about 4 or 5, possibly 6 or 7. So, theoretically, given that a female can have 2 litters a year, a female hedgehog could raise 10 babies in a year, complies Wildlife (2011). This is unlikely, as most of these baby hedgehogs would die. A more realistic figure is that a female could raise 2, possibly 3 babies a year.

When hedgehogs are born their spines are just below the skin, so they don't cause their mother pain. They are blind at first, but after about 2 weeks their spines begin to show more, and their eyes open, remarkable information from Wildlife (2011). Hedgehogs also have baby teeth, just like humans. These fall out by about week 3.

Hedgehogs leave their nests when they are about 4 to 5 weeks old, and they then must learn to fend for themselves. 1 out of 5 hedgehogs die before they leave the nest, says Wildlife (2011).