This document discusses hedgehogs. It provides an introduction that describes hedgehogs as small insect-eating mammals found worldwide. It then discusses predators and prey of hedgehogs, noting that hedgehogs will curl into a ball to protect themselves from predators like birds, foxes, and weasels. The document also lists some interesting facts about hedgehogs and their survival needs, such as preferring a warm climate and needing shelter, food, water and exercise. It includes pictures of both wild and pet hedgehogs.

1. HEDGEHOGS
By: Nicole

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).

7. FOOD WEB
ferrets
vegetables
fruits
Hawks
foxes
Insects

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.

9. PICTURES OF WILD
HEDGEHOGS

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.

11. PICTURES OF PET
HEDGEHOGS

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>.