Did you know that a hedgehog...? Interesting facts about hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are wild inhabitants of gardens and forests, known to us since childhood. In the drawings, they are depicted with an irreplaceable apple on thorns. Did you know that hedgehogs actually prey on vipers? Check out our fun hedgehog facts!

hedgehog unequal

To the untrained eye, all Polish hedgehogs living in the wild look the same. There are two types of hedgehogs in Poland - the European hedgehog and the Oriental hedgehog. In appearance, they are not too different. The difference can be seen by looking at the number of spines - the European hedgehog has about 8 of them, while the eastern hedgehog has fewer, about 6,5. In addition, the spines of the western hedgehog, as the European hedgehog is sometimes called, are several millimeters longer than those of its relative. On the other hand, the eastern hedgehog has a white abdomen, while the latter has a black stripe running from the abdomen to the dewlap.

Hedgehogs change their needles three times

Hedgehogs change their spines three times in their lifetime. Initially white and soft, they harden with age as the young hedgehog matures. The pink hedgehog has about 100 spines. Over time, others appear. A characteristic feature of hedgehogs - harder spines - grow between rows of white needles. An adult medium-sized hedgehog has about 7 of them.

Milk is bad for hedgehogs

Because hedgehogs can't digest lactose, showing them a bowl of milk does more harm than good. Substances in milk can irritate the stomach in the long term, weaken the animal's immune system and cause long-term problems with the digestive system. If you want to encourage hedgehogs to visit our area, it is better to use milk intended for newborn dogs and cats (sugar-free cow's milk) or quality kitten food.

Live fast die young

Researchers worry that the average lifespan of a free-living hedgehog is about 2 years. In addition to traffic accidents, the greatest risk is the temperature fluctuation associated with the winter season. During this period, hedgehogs hibernate in a safe place, where they wait for the arrival of spring. Unfortunately, the lairs chosen by them can turn out to be a real trap - as part of the cleaning, heaps of leaves are set on fire, and a hedgehog that managed to escape from danger by running into nearby bushes will surely die there in agony in the cold. and without food. An awakened hedgehog should be taken to a veterinarian or contact a specialized institution. You can find a list of them on our website ourjeze.org. Interestingly, each province has guardian hedgehogs that you can talk to about your doubts about the hedgehog you're facing.

hedgehogs in winter

Around October, hedgehogs burrow into a safe burrow to survive the cold season and wake up in April. At inauspicious times, they sleep in a pile of leaves, a hole formed under the root of a tree. Hedgehogs hibernate because they don't have access to food - insects, toads, snails burrow, and so do hedgehogs. During this time, they reduce their body temperature by only a few degrees, their heart rate also slows down, and their physiological needs disappear.

What are you eating, hedgehog?

Contrary to our cultural image of a hedgehog carrying a red apple, hedgehogs do not eat fruit. These are carnivores - they feed on insects, larvae, beetles and beetles, as well as snails, earthworms and small mammals, birds and their eggs. But that's nothing! Their delicacy is also snakes, including zigzag vipers. It probably owes this culinary weakness to the etymology of its name - "hedgehog" originally meant "eating a snake." His next superpower is resistance to toad venom - he is the only mammal that preys on these amphibians.

Hedgehogs on the ribs

We are most likely to encounter a hedgehog after dark or at night. Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, during the day they sleep, hiding in their shelters. Night for them is hunting time - during the night a hedgehog can walk up to 2 kilometers. During this time, he eats about 150 g of food. Although hedgehogs prefer to walk on land, they are excellent water climbers and climbers.

hedgehog life under protection

In Poland, hedgehogs are strictly protected and it is forbidden to keep them at home. Hedgehogs even have their own day of the year. To draw attention to the needs of this species, November 10 is Hedgehog Day. In addition to man, along with his harmful activities that affect the environment and the well-being of hedgehogs, foxes, badgers, dogs and owls are the worst enemies.

Other common causes of hedgehog death are drowning in a small pond, getting stuck in an open burrow, and burning grass. External and internal parasites also pose a great danger to the hedgehog. Unfortunately, studies show that due to changes in the use of natural areas by 2025, the European hedgehog will become extinct.

And what curiosities about hedgehogs surprised you the most? Let me know in the comments!

You can find more interesting facts in Passion I Have Animals.