Hedgehog
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hedgehogs[1] | |
|---|---|
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| European Hedgehog | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Erinaceomorpha |
| Family: | Erinaceidae |
| Subfamily: | Erinaceinae G. Fischer, 1814 |
| Genera | |
- For the fictional video game character, see Sonic the Hedgehog
A hedgehog, also called an urchin, hedgepig and furze-pig, is a small mammal. It has spines on its back. There are hedgehogs in Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand. When attacked or threatened, it curls up. Hedgehogs eat insects, snails, frogs and toads, snakes, bird eggs, carrion, mushrooms, berries, melons and watermelons. Sometimes, hedgehogs will search for earthworms, after rainstorms.
Description [change]
Hedgehogs have long spines, or quills, made of keratin. They do not come off easily, unlike porcupines, but baby quills do drop off while adult quills grow. This is called "quilling". When they are very stressed or sick, their quills can fall off, too. Their quills are not poisonous.
References [change]
- ↑ Hutterer, Rainer (16-11-2005). Don E. Wilson and DeeAnn M. Reeder. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 212–217. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3.
Other websites [change]
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The Simple English Wiktionary has a definition for: hedgehog. |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Erinaceidae |
- Hedgehogs (Species) at the Open Directory Project
- Hedgehog reference at the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
- Hedgehog Facts
- Hedgehog Care and Advice
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