How do hedgehogs mate? The common hedgehog is a brave wanderer

In order to see a hedgehog - an animal familiar to everyone since childhood, you do not have to go to the forest or field. After all, these small animals covered with needles often live very close to humans: many of them settle in summer cottages, and some, the most courageous specimens, even settle in cities.

Description of the hedgehog

The hedgehog, which has become a popular character in children's books and cartoons, belongs to the hedgehog family, which is part of the order Insectivores. This is a densely built animal, covered with prickly needles that grow interspersed with fine hairs. Its ability to curl up into a ball is due to the fact that upper layer his skin can stretch greatly.

Appearance

The hedgehog is a small animal ( average weight- about 800 grams - 1 kg) with a short tail and, as a rule, with small ears and a slightly elongated muzzle. Its small black nose, which the animal continually thrusts into various holes and holes in the ground in search of prey, is constantly wet and shiny. The head is quite large, wedge-shaped, the facial section is slightly elongated. The teeth are small and sharp, there are 36 of them in total, 20 of which are located on the upper jaw, and 16 on the lower jaw, while the upper incisors are spaced widely, so that the lower incisors intersect between them.

In many species of this animal, including the common hedgehog, the spines are short, growing in different directions; on the head they are separated by something like a parting. The coloring of the needles from a distance seems dirty-gray, as if dusted with dust, but in fact it is sectional: on each of the needles, dark brown areas alternate with light, whitish-beige. Inside the needle there is a cavity filled with air.

Needles grow at the same rate as hair and, just like hair, they fall out from time to time so that new needles can grow in their place. Hedgehogs shed in spring or autumn, and on average, one out of three needles is replaced per year. At the same time, the animal never sheds completely: the needles gradually fall out and new ones grow in their place. Full reset needles in adult hedgehogs is possible only in case of serious illness.

This is interesting! Each needle is attached to the hedgehog's body with the help of a muscle fiber, which raises and lowers it if necessary, thanks to which the animal can bristle if it needs to protect itself from predators.

Those parts of the hedgehog's body that do not have spines (head, abdomen, limbs) are covered with thick darkish fur, usually gray, yellowish or brownish, although in some species of these animals the main color can be diluted with white or lighter tones.

Behavior and lifestyle

Hedgehogs prefer to lead night image life. During the day they hide in their nest, and at night they go out in search of food. Nests are made in bushes, holes, small caves, as well as in holes dug by rodents and subsequently abandoned by their first owners. The diameter of the nest, on average, is 15-20 cm, and the nest itself is covered with a bedding of dried grass, leaves or moss.

On average, the animal is able to run about three kilometers per night. Due to its short legs, the hedgehog is not able to cover long distances, but this does not prevent it from developing a speed that is quite high for its size: 3 m/s. A stream or small river encountered along the way is not an obstacle for a hedgehog: after all, this animal knows how to swim well. He also jumps well, and therefore is quite capable of jumping over a small obstacle, such as, for example, a fallen tree trunk.

This is interesting! Each of these animals has its own area, which the males jealously guard from their competitors.

By its nature, the hedgehog is peaceful and good-natured: with the exception of those animals that it hunts and competitors for the attention of the female, it will never attack first. But, if necessary, this beast is quite capable of repelling the offender. At first, he will try to drive away the aggressor with a loud snort, and if that doesn’t help, then he will try to jump on him to slightly prick him.

And only, having convinced himself that all the measures he has taken have led to nothing and the predator does not even think about retreating, the hedgehog will curl up into a ball and bristle, turning himself into some kind of impregnable citadel. A persistent pursuer, having pricked his face or paw on its needles, usually understands that this prey is too tough for him, and then leaves. And the hedgehog, having waited until it disappears from view, turns around and continues to mince about its business.

In autumn the hedgehog falls into hibernation, which lasts from October to April. Before hibernation, the animal fattens up in an amount of at least 500 grams, and before plunging into suspended animation, it tightly closes the entrance to the hole. In winter, his body temperature can drop to 1.8 ° C, and his pulse drops to 20-60 beats per minute. Having woken up, after hibernation has ended, the hedgehog remains in the hole until the air temperature outside reaches 15 ° C, and only after the warmth has established does it leave its nest and go in search of food.

However, not all hedgehogs fall into suspended animation with the onset of cold weather, but only those that live in cold climates, and their relatives living in southern latitudes, remain active all year round. Hedgehogs are quite noisy animals: when walking around their areas, they snort loudly and make sounds reminiscent of sneezing, and small hedgehogs can also whistle or quack like birds.

Important! It is a common belief that a hedgehog is an animal that can be kept, but in fact this is far from the case.

Firstly, the hedgehog is completely resistant to training, and due to the fact that it is nocturnal, this creates certain inconveniences. So, if this animal is released from its cage in the evening, it will wander around the rooms all night, snorting loudly and stamping its claws on the floor. In addition, the hedgehog is a carrier of many serious illnesses, including tularemia and rabies, and in its thorns a myriad of encephalitis ticks can settle, which, at the first opportunity, will move on to people or domestic animals, such as dogs or cats. Therefore, it is better not to bring hedgehogs into your house or apartment, although you should feed them garden plots is not forbidden, especially since hedgehogs are very good at destroying various agricultural pests, such as caterpillars and slugs.

How long does a hedgehog live?

In nature, a hedgehog does not live too long - 3-5 years, but in captivity these animals can live 10-15 years. This is due to the fact that in natural conditions In their habitat, they have many enemies from which, sometimes, even thorns do not protect them.

Sexual dimorphism

Male and female hedgehogs do not differ much from each other in appearance: they have the same color and approximately the same build. The only difference between hedgehogs of different sexes is their size; males are a little larger and weigh a little more.

Types of hedgehogs

Currently, 16 species of hedgehogs are known, belonging to 5 genera of the hedgehog family.

African hedgehogs

• White-bellied
• Algerian
• South African
• Somali

Eurasian hedgehogs

• Amursky
• Eastern European
• Ordinary
• Southern

Eared hedgehogs

• Eared
• Collared

Steppe hedgehogs

• Daursky
• Chinese

Long-spined hedgehogs

• Ethiopian
• Darkneedle
• Indian
• Apodal

Range, habitats

Hedgehogs inhabit Europe, including the British Isles. Found in Asia and Africa. In addition, these animals were brought to New Zealand. Hedgehogs do not currently live in America, although fossil remains of animals belonging to the hedgehog family are found there. They are also not found in South-East Asia, Madagascar and Australia.

There are 5 species of hedgehogs living in Russia:

• Ordinary: inhabits northern regions European part of the country.
• Southern: lives in the southern regions of the European part and the Caucasus.
• Amursky: lives in the south of the Far Eastern region.
• Daursky: lives in Transbaikalia.
• Eared: inhabits the southeast of the European part of Russia, but is also found in Western Siberia, in Tuva and the Caucasus.

Their favorite places habitat is mixed forests, forest belts, grassy plains, overgrown river floodplains and steppes. Some types of hedgehogs thrive in semi-deserts and deserts. Hedgehogs can settle almost anywhere: they only avoid wetlands and coniferous forests.

Hedgehogs can often be seen near human habitation, such as parks, abandoned gardens, cottages, city outskirts and fields planted with grain. As a rule, spiny animals are reluctant to leave their homes and are pushed to move closer to people by negative factors such as forest fires, prolonged bad weather or lack of food.

Any child knows the appearance of a forest “bag of needles” - a hedgehog. But not every adult will be able to tell about the details of a hedgehog’s behavior and lifestyle. Because the hedgehog is a wild animal.

For example, many people think that hedgehogs are only forest animals. In fact, these small mammals live in both steppes and deserts. They are distributed only in northern Africa and on the Eurasian mainland. Their closest relatives are, oddly enough, not spiny porcupines, but common moles and shrews.

All 23 species of hedgehogs living on earth are insectivores.

Features of the appearance of hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are small animals, with a body length of 10–20 cm. Weight ranges from 300 to 800 g. The tail is almost invisible, the legs are short, but they also walk quite quickly with them - they mince. The large head has small eyes and ears. Only in one species - long-eared hedgehog- the ears are large.

Listen to the hedgehog's voice

Hedgehogs have good hearing, but their vision is poor. However, this is compensated by the fact that sensitive vibrissae are located on the sharp elongated muzzle closer to the nose. Thanks to them, hedgehogs have an excellent sense of smell.

Hedgehog spines are modified hair, but unlike fur, they never change. Only small hedgehogs or sick animals can lose spines.

Of course, the most interesting thing about hedgehogs is their spines, which never fall out. They are modified hairs and cover not only the back, but also the sides and forehead. The most unprotected place is the belly, because the fur on it is soft. Almost all species are gray or brown, only the spines at the tips are white. It is very rare to see hedgehogs that are completely white.

The long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) is a typical desert inhabitant

The hedgehog can curl up into a ball in times of danger. In this he is helped by the circular muscles located in the places where the spines grow.

How do wild hedgehogs live?

Hedgehogs live in small burrows under the roots of bushes or trees. They live alone, do not create pairs. During the day, hedgehogs sleep more often, and at night they come out to look for food. Northern species gain a lot of fat over the summer and go into hibernation for the winter.

When walking, the animals are not careful at all: they rustle leaves and make loud puffing noises. After all, if an enemy appears, you can always put up thorns and defend yourself. A hedgehog can lie curled up in a ball for quite a long time until the danger passes.

However, these animals feed on insects, worms, snails, caterpillars, slugs, and some species eat lizards and snakes. TO snake venom Hedgehogs are insensitive. They can dine in a bird's nest and catch a small rodent.

Reproduction of hedgehogs

Once a year, closer to summer, after two months of gestation, the female gives birth to up to 5 hedgehogs. The male finds her by smell, and before that he manages to fight with another male. True, this can be called a fight purely symbolically - the males push each other with their foreheads and bite each other’s paws.

Where does a hedgehog live and what does it eat? Such questions are not uncommon, because these cute animals are of interest to many.

Hedgehogs are animals of the chordate class of mammals of the order Urchiniformes of the family Urchinidae. The hedgehog has a body length from 10 to 44 cm (depending on the species), its weight can vary from 300 grams to one and a half kilograms. In addition, the animal has a tail ranging from 1 to 21 cm in length.

What does this animal look like?

The animal's large head is wedge-shaped. The muzzle is elongated, the nose is mobile, pointed and moist to the touch. A hedgehog's teeth are sharp and small. There are 20 of them on the upper jaw, and only 16 on the lower jaw. Certain species of hedgehogs have a different number of teeth - up to 44. The large first incisors vaguely resemble fangs.

The hedgehog's front legs are shorter than its hind legs. There are five fingers on each limb, except for the white-bellied hedgehog, which has four on its hind legs. Hedgehogs have long middle toes, which are used to clean their needles.

The hedgehog's spines are hollow formations, between which there is a growth of thin and sparse hairs, barely noticeable to the eye. The abdomen and head of the animal are covered with ordinary fur.

The main thing is needles!

The average number of needles on each hedgehog is up to 10,000, and their constant growth and renewal occurs. They are mostly dark in color, sometimes alternating with stripes of a lighter shade.

Depending on the species, a hedgehog can be brown, black, brown, sandy or even white in color. In some places, white and black colors alternate with the formation of spots. Most hedgehogs have well-developed subcutaneous muscles. Feature these animals - curl up into a ball when faced with danger. It is for this purpose that developed subcutaneous muscles are needed, which are located along the line of spine growth.

The hedgehog is a nocturnal animal with poor vision. As compensation, nature endowed him with excellent sense of smell and hearing. This animal cannot be called agile. The hedgehog usually runs away with average speed no more than 3-4 km per hour. The hedgehog is a land animal, but most of its species can swim well.

The natural lifespan of a hedgehog is about 3-5 years. If you place a hedgehog at home, then in the absence natural enemies he is able to live up to 8-10 years. In nature, its life is shorter. In the forest where the hedgehog lives, he becomes the object of hunting by foxes, wolves, owls, badgers, ferrets, mongooses, jackals, hyenas, eagles and many other predators. And even in the conditions of, for example, a city park, his life is full of dangers.

Where do hedgehogs live in summer and winter?

Their habitat can be considered quite wide. These small prickly animals can be found in any European country; they are found in abundance both in Russia and in much hotter Africa. Hedgehogs also live in the Middle East, New Zealand and Asia.

The places where the hedgehog lives in nature are deserts, forests, steppes, and cultivated landscapes. Even urban areas are no exception. When setting up a home, he digs a hole under the roots of a tree or in the bushes. Sometimes you can find an abandoned rodent hole where a hedgehog lived.

Hedgehog lifestyle

The hedgehog by nature itself is conceived as a solitary nocturnal animal, whose lifestyle is rather secretive. Usually in the mink where the hedgehog lives (its length can reach 1 meter), he sleeps throughout the day. Those populations that live in foothill areas can hide in voids under stones and crevices between rocks.

In the area near the burrows where hedgehogs live, they go out to hunt at night in the summer. Unfortunately, according to statistics, a very large number of them die under the wheels of cars when trying to cross roads in the dark.

What do hedgehogs eat in the wild?

They are omnivores. Their diet is based on insects, spiders, beetles, earwigs, caterpillars, slugs, earthworms and woodlice. The hedgehog will not refuse to try a toad, locust, crustacean or bird eggs. The population of hedgehogs living in the north readily eats small rodents (mice, etc.), as well as frogs and lizards.

Representatives of hedgehogs are quite resistant to any poison, even very toxic ones. That is why hedgehogs easily deal with scorpions and poisonous snakes. They will not even refuse carrion or found food waste.

As plant food forest hedgehogs They eat moss, mushrooms, acorns, cereal seeds and any berry - raspberries, blackberries, strawberries. The hedgehog's task is to fatten up properly during the summer, otherwise the animal will not be able to survive during hibernation. Having accumulated a good supply of fat, the hedgehog enters a state of suspended animation during the period from October to April.

How do hedgehogs reproduce?

Their mating season begins at the end of hibernation, when the air temperature reaches 18-20 degrees. Sexual maturity in each animal begins at the age of 10-12 months. Hedgehog populations living in the north reproduce once a year. Inhabitants of the southern regions - twice.

The nest for the offspring is made by the female in the hole where the hedgehog lives, by lining it with grass and dry leaves. Fights for the female are not uncommon between males. Hedgehog massacres are accompanied by snorting, snorting, biting and pricking with sharp needles. Before mating, the female tries to smooth out her numerous spines. Hedgehogs are polygamous animals; they are not characterized by the formation of strong families.

The female hedgehog bears the offspring for a period of time, which, depending on the species, can range from 34 to 58 days. As a result, in the hole where the hedgehog lived, cubs number from 1 to 7 (most often there are 4). The weight of a newborn hedgehog is about 5 grams; they are born blind and naked, covered with bright pink skin.

During the first day of life, the body of a newborn hedgehog is covered with soft small needles. After two weeks, the needle-like cover of these animals is completely formed. The female feeds the cubs with milk during the first month, then a period of independent existence begins for the young animals.

About certain types of hedgehogs

The entire hedgehog family can be divided into two different subfamilies - true hedgehogs and rat hedgehogs. In total, these animals exist in 7 genera and 23 species. Let's talk briefly about some of their interesting representatives.

1. The most common type of hedgehog is the common or European hedgehog with a body length of about 20-30 cm and a small tail up to 3 cm in size. It weighs about 800 g, and the needles are about 3 cm in size.

The color of such a hedgehog is brownish-brownish with dark crossbars. Where does the common hedgehog live in nature? Representatives of this species are typical inhabitants of plains, parks and woodlands in the countries of Europe, Russia and Kazakhstan. In autumn or spring, hedgehogs slowly shed, replacing approximately a third of all needles.

2. The so-called long-eared hedgehog is distinguished by long ears, growing up to 5 centimeters in size. The representatives of the species themselves are quite small, measuring from 12 to 20 cm in length and weighing about 430 g. The needles of the long-eared hedgehog are short - measuring from 1.7 to 1.9 cm. They are found in dry steppes and semi-deserts, where they try to gather near water sources . The territory where this species of hedgehog lives includes Africa and Asia, Kazakhstan, India, China and Mongolia. In Russia, the long-eared hedgehog can be found in the Volga region and Ural mountains.

3. Eastern European hedgehogs are similar in appearance to European ones, but have lighter fur on the belly and neck compared to the sides and head. An adult can grow up to 35 cm in length, and the weight of a hedgehog over the summer can reach 1.2 kg.

They are found in Germany, Austria and Slovenia, in Kazakhstan and the Urals, as well as in Mediterranean islands. Their habitat can be very different - parks, copses, personal plots and even river valleys.

4. African dwarf (or white-bellied) hedgehogs are from 15 to 22 cm in length. Their weight is only 350-700 g. With a brown and gray color, the needles of these hedgehogs have White color. All hedgehogs usually snort quietly, but the African hedgehog can make quite loud sounds when in danger. As the name suggests, they live African hedgehogs south of the Sahara Desert - in Nigeria, Sudan, Senegal, Ethiopia and Mauritania.

Hedgehogs as pets: features of care and maintenance

A variety of pets are popular these days. Hedgehogs are no exception. But the option of catching a wild animal in the forest and bringing it home is not the best solution. In nature, wild hedgehogs may be carriers of one of dangerous diseases- ringworm, salmonellosis, hemorrhagic fever and even rabies. In addition, they almost always have ticks and fleas.

Therefore, if you decide to have pet hedgehog It is best to contact a trusted breeder who guarantees a healthy pet with good heredity, adapted to living conditions in captivity.

How to take care of your hedgehog

If you let your pet hedgehog out for a walk around the apartment, keep an eye on it. There is a risk that your pet will get tangled in the wires, get hurt, or chew on some necessary item.

The hedgehog's cage needs to be cleaned of dirt every day to avoid an unpleasant odor. As already said, the hedgehog is a solitary animal. Therefore, when deciding to have two hedgehogs at the same time, make sure that each of them has a separate cage.

Due to the fact that the hedgehog is a nocturnal animal, it can disturb you at night - snorting, puffing and rustling.

What does a hedgehog eat at home?

It should be fed with raw lean meat, finely chopped, fresh fish or boiled liver. Delicacies for hedgehogs include bloodworms, cockroaches, mealworms or crickets. Your pet will not refuse carrots or apples.

How and where do hedgehogs live at home in winter? The future owner of a prickly pet should be aware that even domestic hedgehogs kept in captivity tend to hibernate. Although its duration will be shorter than in natural conditions. If this phase is canceled, the animals may die by spring. This does not apply only to the breed of hedgehogs called African dwarfs - it is not customary for them to hibernate.

IN autumn period The hedgehog requires increased feeding, this is when it accumulates fat reserves. In October and early November, you can observe a period of lethargy and torpor in him, which means the transition to hibernation. For her, the hedgehog should be allocated a secluded place in the house with a temperature of no more than 5 degrees Celsius, preferably somewhere in the attic, in a barn or on a loggia. If the temperature is higher, the hibernation process may not begin. The nest of a domestic hedgehog should be covered with sawdust, dry leaves, rags or straw.

Hedgehogs are small insectivorous mammals, whose image is well known to everyone. The closest to them are tenrecs and gymnurs - small animals that look like hedgehogs without spines (or with a small number of them). In addition to gymnurs, hedgehogs are related to other insectivores - shrews and moles. But the prickly porcupine, although similar to a hedgehog, is not at all related to it. In total, there are 23 species of hedgehogs in the world, all of them are quite similar.

European or common hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus).

The size of hedgehogs ranges from 10 to 20 cm in length, weight - 300-800 g. The body of these animals is ridged, the neck is very short and practically invisible. The head is quite large and wide in relation to the body, the end of the muzzle is elongated into an elongated stigma. Hedgehogs have very small eyes, like beads, and they don’t see well. But the elongated nose is very mobile and dotted with vibrissae (“whiskers”), so they have an excellent sense of smell. The hearing is also sensitive, the ears are small (with the exception of the big-eared hedgehog).

The tail and paws of these animals are small. Home distinctive feature hedgehogs have spines that densely cover almost the entire surface of their body. The length of the spines is only 1-2 cm, but they are located very densely; spines grow on the back, forehead and sides of hedgehogs; in these places under the skin there is a layer of circular muscles, thanks to which hedgehogs can curl into a ball and the skin of the upper body stretches. The lower part of the body is covered with short hair. The color of the animals is protective (gray, brownish), the spines are often two-colored - with a dark base and white tips. Albinos are sometimes found among hedgehogs.

The spines are modified hairs. Unlike other animals, hedgehogs never have a complete molt, and their spines are gradually replaced every year and a half. Only sick individuals can suddenly go bald.

Hedgehogs live only on two continents - Eurasia and Africa (in its northern part). IN North America, despite the similarity of its climate with Europe, there are no hedgehogs. These animals are acclimatized on some islands (in New Zealand, for example). Different types Hedgehogs live in forests, steppes and even deserts. These animals live alone, stick to a certain area, which they regularly walk around in search of food. True, hedgehogs do not mark territory and do not protect it from rivals. These animals are active mainly at night; during the day they hide from predators (and southern species from the heat) in thickets of bushes, between roots, in shallow burrows. These animals have a peaceful disposition, but their intelligence is rather poorly developed.

The long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) is a typical desert inhabitant.

Due to their short legs, hedgehogs cannot run quickly, so they usually move at a leisurely pace. They do not try to be unnoticed, they behave quite noisily, puffing, rustling leaves. Hedgehogs can take such liberty because they have excellent remedy protection - thorns.

A hedgehog hunts a snail.

Hedgehogs breed once a year. Depending on the species, mating season occurs in spring or summer. Males find a female by smell. They do not have any special mating rituals, but competing males drive each other away by jumping on their opponent and trying to hit him with their foreheads. Contrary to speculation, the prickly fur coat does not interfere with the amorous affairs of hedgehogs and mating proceeds in the same way as in all other animals. Pregnancy lasts 40-58 days. The female gives birth to 3-5 cubs. Hedgehogs are born blind and naked, with barely visible rudiments of needles in their skin. The needles of newborns are soft, but within the first day they grow by 5-6 mm and harden. The mother feeds the cubs for about a month. In nature, hedgehogs live a short life of 3-7 years, in captivity 6-16. main reason high mortality - predators.

Hedgehogs develop spines before their eyes open. The rudiments of vibrissae are visible on the hedgehog's face, which indicates important role sense of smell in the life of these animals.

Despite their prickly coats, hedgehogs have enemies from whom this protection does not save. They are attacked by foxes, jackals, and eagle owls. In case of danger, the hedgehog curls up into a ball and, with the help of movable skin, seems to be wrapped in thorns. In this state, he is unapproachable and can remain motionless long time until the enemy leaves. However, sometimes predators manage to grab a hedgehog by its unprotected belly; eagle owls can catch hedgehogs thanks to their feathered paws, which protect them from thorns. But they have a stable immunity to the venom of snakes, which hedgehogs sometimes catch. By the way, hedgehogs are characterized by general resistance to various toxins; they are able to tolerate the effects of many poisons in high doses. Southern species of hedgehogs are also very resistant to overheating and tolerate it even better than desert tortoises.

A hedgehog curled up into a ball.

Hedgehogs don't have economic importance, but bring benefit by destroying a large number of harmful insects and their larvae. True, in those places where they are acclimatized, these animals can cause harm, destroying native species of insects and destroying nests rare birds. Hedgehogs get along well in captivity, but are not suitable for keeping at home. It should be borne in mind that they are active mainly at night, make noise and are not amenable to complex training.

Who rustles through the fallen leaves, who snorts and stomps their little feet, who evokes affection in adults and children? This Hedgehog! Inhabitant of Russian forests, hero of fairy tales and cartoons. Perhaps everyone has seen in their Hedgehog's life, either at the edge of the forest, or in the garden, or even right in the house! Who are they hedgehogs how they live - let's get to know each other better and go visit Hedgehog!

Go for the Hedgehog not so far - here at the edge of the forest, not far from human habitation, we are looking for a hole in the roots, a hollow near the ground or a hole. It's already twilight in the forest, and now, Hedgehog, with sparkling black eyes, sniffing the air, he gets out of his burrow covered with leaves.

Hedgehog Nests They are built in bushes, holes, caves, abandoned rodent burrows or in tree roots. Usually the nest occupies a diameter of 15-20 cm, it contains a litter of dry grass or leaves, moss.

The common hedgehog inhabits a wide variety of habitats, avoiding vast swamps and continuous coniferous tracts. Prefers edges, copses, small clearings, and floodplains. A hedgehog can live next to a person. In Europe common hedgehog can be found in open forests, grassy plains, bushes, sandy areas and even parks.

What does the Hedgehog eat?

Hedgehog is a predator and is nocturnal. Hedgehogs don't see well, but they smell and hear well. In the evening they emerge from their hiding places in search of food. (The habitat of the Hedgehog is approximately 7 - 39 hectares). Hedgehogs can be found in neglected gardens, parks and even in grain fields bordering the forest. During the day it hides under a pile of brushwood and leaves among the bushes, and at night it comes out to feed. During the night, the Hedgehog sometimes walks up to 3 km. The Hedgehog's dinner is not at all dietary.

Common Hedgehog is an omnivore. Its diet consists of adult insects, caterpillars, slugs, and sometimes earthworms. Under natural conditions, it rarely attacks vertebrates, most often victims of the Hedgehog reptiles and amphibians become numb. From plants it can eat berries and fruits.

Hedgehog Defense

In case of danger Hedgehog curls up into a ball, pressing the head to the belly and pulling the lanks and tail under itself: you get a prickly ball with needles sticking out in all directions.

The Hedgehog's spines are modified hair located only on the back: the muzzle and abdomen are covered with ordinary hair. When meeting with forest animals (wolf, marten, fox), The hedgehog snorts And jumps up, trying prick the enemy. If this does not help, it curls up into a ball, exposing its spiny back to the attacking predator.

Often, after pricking the face with needles, the attacker leaves the Hedgehog alone. But this doesn't always happen. The Hedgehog has enemies from whom neither needles nor curling up into a ball can save him.

Thus, during a night hunt, a Hedgehog is successfully attacked by an eagle owl. It is not afraid of the animal's quills, because the toes of this bird are covered with durable scales. The soft plumage of the eagle owl makes its flight silent and allows it to catch its prey by surprise.

There is no escape for Hedgehog foxes, which carefully rolls it with its paw to the shore of a forest puddle or swamp and throws it into the water. The water penetrates the Hedgehog's belly, and it straightens its back, stretches out its muzzle and swims to the shore. Here a fox is waiting for him, pierces his sharp teeth into the head unprotected by needles and gnaws the Hedgehog.

Reproduction of Hedgehogs

Typically within a year female Hedgehog bears only one brood. Pregnancy lasts 49 days. A litter usually contains 3-8 (most often 4) cubs.

Hedgehogs are born naked, blind, with bright pink skin, their body weight is only 12 grams. A few hours after birth, Hedgehogs begin to develop white and dark soft quills. The complete needle cover is formed by 15 days of life. Lactation lasts about 1 month. After its completion, the hedgehogs begin to live independently. Hedgehogs become sexually mature at 10-12 months.

The common hedgehog is useful in destroying harmful insects: among the insects it eats are chafers, nun caterpillars and gypsy moths.

Lifespan of a Hedgehog: in nature, an ordinary hedgehog lives up to 3-5 years, in captivity up to 8-10 years.

On Hedgehogs many are unusually weak strong poisons- arsenic, sublimate, opium and even hydrocyanic acid. They are quite resistant to viper venom. Back in 1811, it was experimentally established that Hedgehogs, without harm to themselves, ate blister beetles containing cantharidin, which was poisonous to other animals.

When encountering a strong-smelling object, Hedgehogs demonstrate strange behavior, known as self-annointing. Hedgehog licks the object until it begins to produce foamy saliva, then transfers it to the needles.

The widespread belief that Hedgehogs prick food on needles is erroneous. (For example, it is a common misconception that Hedgehogs can prick apples with their quills). Sometimes they carry leaves pinned onto needles into their nest.

In the Russian language, the phraseological phrase “keep a tight rein” is widespread, meaning strict or even harsh treatment of subordinates.

Probably the most famous cartoon about the Hedgehog - Hedgehog in the fog.