Hedehogs
- 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS • Introduction • Predator/Prey • Interesting • Survival facts Needs • Food Web • Wild Hedgehogs • Pictures • Pet of wild hedgehogs Hedgehogs • Pictures of pet hedgehogs • Bibliography
- 3. INTRODUCTION • What is a Hedgehog? Hedgehogs are a small, insect eating mammals that can be found throughout the world. They are native to England, Europe, Africa and Asia. The hedgehogs average lifespan is 3.5 or 4-6 years and the maximum lifespan is 10 years. Many people make mistakes on the domestic hedgehog for the porcupine. While porcupine quills are extremely sharp, barbed and very dangerous, the hedgehog quill is smooth and not nearly as sharp. Petting a friendly hedgehog can be compared to petting a hairbrush - bristly, not prickly. The average weight for the hedgehog is 9-19 ounces and for a newborn the weight is 8-12 grams.
- 4. PREDATOR/PREY • Birds, hawks, owls, foxes, ferrets, and weasels are known to eat and kill hedgehogs. When a hedgehog is faced to a predator, a hedgehog tries to avoid being eaten by curling into a ball with its sharp hairs, known as quills, pointing outward. And what does hedgehogs eat? Hedgehogs like a diet of foods including insects, fruits and other types of vegetation.
- 5. INTERESTING FACTS • The name for a baby hedgehog is a hoglet. • Hedgehogs have poor eyesight, but excellent senses of smell and hearing. • Hedgehogs got their name through their foraging habits. • Each hedgehogs has around 5,000 spines • Hedgehogs are known as the gardener’s friend. • The most common domesticated hedgehog is the African pygmy hedgehog. • European hedgehogs hibernate throughout winter. • It is illegal to own a hedgehog in Pennsylvania.
- 6. SURVIVAL NEEDS • Hedgehogs of course need food and water to survive but do need an adaptable temperature. They prefer a warm climate (above 72°F/22°C but below 85°F/29.5°C). They also need a burrow or a home and a safe and good environment. If they are kept in captivity in a home as a pet, they need a big cage with it well ventilated and also a hiding spot. Also good bedding. Hedgehogs like wood shavings or fleece liners for their bedding. They also need a good noise level (not too loud), exercise (they can easily gain weight by not getting any exercise), and someone to always be aware of their hedgehog (Closely watch their behaviour and food/water intake).
- 8. WILD HEDGEHOGS • Essentially, across a wide percentage of Europe, Asia, and Africa. There are no hedgehog species that are native to North or South America. The hedgehogs typically live in the plains regions, in areas that are often hot and dry. Hedgehogs are considered to be insectivores, which means that their main diet is insects of various types. As well, hedgehogs seem to be somewhat opportunistic, and are willing to eat small rodents, reptiles, ground nesting bird eggs and fledglings, and the occasional bits of plant materials such as vegetables and fruits. For a home, hedgehogs basically fine what they can to make a little nest, cave, or burrow for them to sleep in or hide in.
- 10. PET HEDGEHOGS • The African pygmy hedgehog is the most common type sold as pets. It can grow to be around six to nine inches long. Four to six years is a normal life span, but a pet hedgehog can live up to ten years. A hedgehog is a very active animal. He will require a large cage even though he is small. He will also need time outside of his cage to explore and run around. A hedgehog is fun to watch, quiet, not aggressive, and is fairly easy to care for. It is a clean animal and has very little smell. A hedgehog can be a wonderful animal for someone who wants a unique and entertaining pet.
- 12. BIBLIOGRAPHY Hedgehog Information - Hedgehogs - Exotic Nutrition. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. <http://www.exoticnutrition.com/ hein.html>. Hedgehog - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedgehog>. More Hog Info - Hedgehog Rescue Centre in Leicester. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. Pet Hedgehog Care, Information, Facts & Pictures. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. <http://hedgehogcare.org/>. World Wildlife Fund | Tenrec Plush – Animal Adoptions from World. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014. <http:// gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/SpeciesAdoptions/Panda.aspx>.