# Four-Toed Hedgehog (*atelerix albiventris*) The Four-Toed Hedgehog is a small, spiky creature that loves to curl up into a ball when it's scared! They are nocturnal animals, which means they come out to play at night when most other animals are asleep. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** Grasslands and scrublands in Africa. - **Also known as:** African Hedgehog, White-Bellied Hedgehog ![Four-Toed Hedgehog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Atelerix_albiventris_in_Spain.jpg&width=800) Photo: Nacaru, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atelerix_albiventris_in_Spain.jpg) ## Appearance The Four-Toed Hedgehog has a pale brown to grey coat of short, non-barbed spines covering its back, with a contrasting white belly. It possesses a pointed snout, prominent ears, and short legs, typically with four toes on its hind feet. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Erinaceomorpha - **Family:** Erinaceidae - **Genus:** Atelerix ## Interesting facts - During tough times, they can go into a deep sleep called hibernation for months. - Hedgehogs make many different noises, from snorts and grunts to loud squeals! - Hoglets, baby hedgehogs, are born blind, pink, and with soft, white "starter" spines. - They are called "four-toed" because their back feet usually have only four toes! ## Special abilities - **Spiny Defender:** Four-Toed Hedgehog can curl into a tight, spiny ball because of powerful back muscles, protecting itself from predators. - **Self-Anointing:** Four-Toed Hedgehog has a unique habit of spreading foamy saliva onto its quills, which helps them acquire new scents for camouflage. - **Venom Resistance:** Four-Toed Hedgehog can resist some snake and scorpion venoms because of specialized proteins in its body. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.3-0.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-6 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-6 - **Gestation:** 30-40 days ## Diet & Feeding These spiny foragers enjoy a mixed menu of insects, worms, and even some fruits! - **Primary Foods:** insects, worms, slugs, snails, small vertebrates, fruit - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Spotted Eagle-Owl (*Bubo africanus*) — A common nocturnal predator in their habitat. - **Eaten by:** Side-striped Jackal (*Canis adustus*) — Jackals are opportunistic hunters in their range. - **Eats:** Mealworm beetle (*Tenebrio molitor*) — Hedgehogs feast on various insects and their larvae. - **Eats:** Giant African Land Snail (*Achatina fulica*) — Snails are a common part of their varied diet. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Four-Toed Hedgehog? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Four-Toed Hedgehog? 15-25 cm ### How much does Four-Toed Hedgehog weigh? 0.3-0.6 kg ### How long does Four-Toed Hedgehog live? 3-6 years ### How fast can Four-Toed Hedgehog move? 10 km/h ### What does Four-Toed Hedgehog eat? These spiny foragers enjoy a mixed menu of insects, worms, and even some fruits! ### Where is Four-Toed Hedgehog usually found? Grasslands and scrublands in Africa. ### How does Four-Toed Hedgehog hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Four-Toed Hedgehog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/four-toed-hedgehog)