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• A hedgehog is a very small mammal named such because it searches for food through underbrush and hedges.African Wildlife Foundation: Hedgehog National Geographic: Hedgehog There are 16 species of hedgehog, and they can be found in Europe, Africa, Asia, and New Zealand.Animal Corner: Hedgehogs

• Fast Facts

  1. Habitat: Parks, sand dunes, open woods, grassy heathsAnimal Diversity Web: Western European Hedgehog
  2. Diet: CarnivorousNational Geographic: Hedgehog
  3. Size: 5 to 9 inches (head and body), 1 to 2 inches (tail)National Geographic: Hedgehog
  4. Weight: 14 to 39 ouncesNational Geographic: Hedgehog
  5. Life span: 10 years in captivityAfrican Wildlife Foundation: Hedgehog
  6. Predators: Birds of prey, jackals, wild dogsHedgehog Central: Hedgehogs In The Wild
  7. Gestation: Between 30 and 40 daysAfrican Wildlife Foundation: Hedgehog

• Physical Characteristics

  A hedgehog is covered with grayish-brown fur under spines, which are actually strands of stiff, hollow hair that grow from follicles.Animal Corner: Hedgehogs

  Hedgehogs have strong forefeet and claws, which enables them to dig effectively.Animal Corner: Hedgehogs Their back claws are the same width but longer than their forefeet. The back claws only have 4 toes each, compared to 5 toes for the forefeet.Animal Diversity Web: Western European Hedgehog

• Behavior

  Hedgehogs are excellent swimmers and climbers. They may travel a couple hundred yards in a night and nest in brush or under rocks.Animal Diversity Web: Western European Hedgehog

  When a hedgehog discovers an unfamiliar object, it will lick it repeatedly. The reason behind this behavior is unknown.African Wildlife Foundation: Hedgehog

  Hedgehogs curl up into a ball with their spines extended when threatened, which protects them from most predators.African Wildlife Foundation: Hedgehog

• Classification

  1. Kingdom: AnimaliaAnimal Diversity Web: Western European Hedgehog
  2. Phylum: ChordataAnimal Diversity Web: Western European Hedgehog
  3. Class: MammaliaAnimal Diversity Web: Western European Hedgehog
  4. Order: ErinaceomorphaAnimal Diversity Web: Western European Hedgehog
  5. Family: ErinaceidaeAnimal Diversity Web: Western European Hedgehog

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