The curious hedgehog is loved by many, with an adorable nature that we just can't resist. This prickly creature is an animal that we all feel an urge to protect, a welcome sight in many gardens throughout the countryside.
As we move into autumn, the hedgehog will be seen gathering their supplies for the colder and wetter months. We have taken a closer look at the loveable hedgehog and put together some facts that you may or may not have heard before.
Hedgehogs gained their name from where they build their nests, in bushes, hedges and shrubs, as well as the noise that they make, which is a hog like snort or grunt.
Nocturnal animals, hedgehogs sleep during the day and come out at night.
Some hedgehogs choose to hibernate throughout the winter months.
Although many people leave out milk for hedgehogs to drink, they are actually lactose intolerant.
A hedgehog uses its long snout to forage for food.
Although they can see well in the dark, their eyesight is not good, so hedgehogs use their hearing and sense of smell to hunt for food.
Across the world there are 15 species of hedgehog.
Hedgehogs have between 5000 to 7000 spikes on their body.
Hedgehogs are most vulnerable to harm on their stomach, which is why they curl up into a ball for protection.
A group of hedgehogs is called an array.
Young hedgehogs will leave their mother at between 4 to 7 weeks of age.
Hedgehogs are generally solitary and will usually only spend time with another hedgehog when they pair up to mate.
A hedgehog's diet usually consists of berries, fruit, insects, small mice, snails and frogs.
On an evening walk a hedgehog can often cover up to 2 miles on their little legs.
An adult hedgehog can range from 14 to 30cm in length, with a tail of up to 6cm.
Hedgehogs are good swimmers and can climb trees too.
A 125 million year old fossil is believed to be the hedgehog's oldest relative.
Hedgehogs use a self-anointing method of licking toxins to create a froth that they will cover themselves in, most likely to warn off predators.
One of their biggest predators is the badger.
Hedgehogs are prone to obesity.
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