# Hedgehogs (*Erinaceinae*) Hedgehogs are small, spiky animals that love to curl up into a ball when they feel scared. They are nocturnal, which means they come out at night to find food like insects and worms. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Hedgehogs](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Erinaceus_europaeus_%28Linnaeus%252C_1758%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Michael Gäbler, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erinaceus_europaeus_%28Linnaeus%252C_1758%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Hedgehog has a compact, rounded body covered in thousands of sharp, brown and white spines on its back. It has a distinctive pointed snout and small, dark eyes, along with short legs and a tiny tail, making it look like a walking pincushion. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Erinaceomorpha - **Family:** Erinaceidae - **Genus:** Hemiechinus ## Interesting facts - A group of hedgehogs is called an 'array'! - Despite their spines, hedgehogs are excellent swimmers! - Hedgehogs use their long snout to sniff out yummy bugs underground! - They sometimes 'anoint' themselves with foamy saliva! ## Special abilities - **Spiny Armor:** Hedgehogs have thousands of sharp spines on their back that helps them curl into a tight ball for protection from predators. - **Nocturnal Navigator:** Hedgehogs have an excellent sense of smell and hearing that helps them find food and navigate in the dark. - **Hibernation Power:** Hedgehogs can enter a deep sleep called hibernation that helps them survive cold winters when food is scarce. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.3-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-8 - **Gestation:** 30-49 days ## Diet & Feeding Hedgehogs are little insect-hunters, munching on creepy crawlies they find at night. - **Primary Foods:** Earthworms, Slugs, Beetles, Caterpillars, Snails - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Adult foxes can sometimes prey on hedgehogs. - **Eaten by:** Badger (*Meles meles*) — Badgers are a primary predator, able to unroll hedgehogs. - **Eaten by:** [Tawny Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-owl) (*Strix aluco*) — Large owls may prey on young or smaller hedgehogs. - **Eats:** [Earthworm](https://www.snappit.app/explore/earthworm) (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Hedgehogs often find and consume earthworms. ## 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. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a hedgehog, watch it from a distance and don't try to touch it. They can be shy! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hedgehogs? 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 Hedgehogs? 15-30 cm ### How much does Hedgehogs weigh? 0.3-1.5 kg ### How long does Hedgehogs live? 2-7 years ### How fast can Hedgehogs move? 10 km/h ### What does Hedgehogs eat? Hedgehogs are little insect-hunters, munching on creepy crawlies they find at night. ### Where is Hedgehogs usually found? Grasslands ### How does Hedgehogs 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: [Hedgehogs: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hedgehogs)