What kind of hedgehog. Forest hedgehogs (lat. Erinaceus). How does a hedgehog curl up into a ball?

06.03.2020

Any child knows the appearance of the forest "bag of needles" - a hedgehog. But not every adult will be able to talk about the details of the 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 both in the steppes and in the deserts. They are distributed only in northern Africa and on the mainland of Eurasia. Their closest relatives are, oddly enough, not prickly porcupines, but ordinary moles and shrews.

All 23 species of hedgehogs living on earth are insectivorous animals.

Features of the appearance of hedgehogs

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

Listen to the voice of the hedgehog

Hedgehogs have good hearing, but poor eyesight. 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 wool, they never change. Spines can fall out only in small hedgehogs or sick animals

Of course, the most interesting thing about the appearance of hedgehogs is the spines that 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 stomach, because the fur on it is soft. Almost all species are colored gray or brown, only the spines at the tips are white. Very rarely there are hedgehogs completely white.

Eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) - a typical desert dweller

The hedgehog knows how to fold into a ball during danger. In this he is helped by the ring muscles located in those places where the spines grow.

How wild hedgehogs live

Hedgehogs live in small minks under the roots of shrubs or trees. They live alone, do not create pairs. During the day, hedgehogs sleep more often, and at night they go out to look for food. Northern species put on a lot of fat over the summer and hibernate for the winter.

When walking, the animals do not observe caution at all: they rustle with foliage, emit a loud puff. After all, if an enemy appears, you can always put up thorns and defend yourself. A hedgehog can lie rolled up in a ball for quite some time until the danger has passed.

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

hedgehog breeding

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 their paws.

Forest hedgehogs (lat. Erinaceus)- genus of mammals of the family hedgehogs. The most common hedgehogs living in Europe, Central and Western Asia, Siberia, China and Korea. The European hedgehog is acclimatized in New Zealand. The genus of forest hedgehogs includes 3 species: Amur hedgehog (Erinaceus amurensis); White-bellied hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor); European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus).

Hedgehogs (Erinaceidae)- a family of mammals of the insectivorous order. 23 species belonging to 7 genera, grouped into 2 subfamilies: real hedgehogs and gymnurs (rat hedgehogs).

Hedgehogs are inhabitants of forests, steppes, deserts and cultivated landscapes. They settle under the roots of trees, in dense shrubs, under stones, dig holes. Mostly omnivorous, but prefer animal food: invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles (hedgehogs are famous for their endurance to snake venom), carrion.

The European Hedgehog is a well-known animal in appearance, whose back and sides are covered with short dark needles. Needles up to 3 cm long; in adult hedgehogs there are 5000-6000 of them, in young ones - only 3000. The needles are white at the base and at the end, in the middle they are painted with stripes of black, white and brown. The fur on the muzzle, legs and abdomen of the hedgehog is hard; in Russia, its gray color is most common.

The area of distribution of an ordinary hedgehog covers Europe (including Ireland and Britain), the Caucasus, Transcaucasia and Asia Minor. North of 61° N. sh. he is rare. In Russia, it is found in the middle zone of the European part, in the Middle Urals and in the south of Western Siberia. At the end of the XIX century. was acclimatized in New Zealand, where it is now numerous. Judging by the fossil remains, it was also formerly found in North America.

The hedgehog is a native of the forest-meadow and steppe zones. It enters the taiga and semi-desert zones only along the valleys of large rivers and their large tributaries. Avoids continuous forests and vast swamps; especially often found on the edges, copses, forest belts, small glades, in floodplains of rivers. In places of joint habitat with the white-bellied hedgehog, it concedes to the latter these habitats, going deep into the forests. It occurs in the mountains (up to 2000 m above sea level), common in cultivated areas: gardens, parks, household plots.

The hedgehog feeds mainly on insects (beetles, earwigs) and their larvae, nods, slugs, snails, earthworms. The larvae of centipede mosquitoes, centipedes Glomeris marginata and Tachypodoiulus niger, and forest ground beetle Carabus nemoralis are of particular delicacy for him. In nature, it rarely attacks vertebrates; most often, its victims are amphibians and reptiles (including snakes) that have fallen into a stupor, with which the hedgehog bites the spine. Of plant foods, he prefers acorns, mushrooms, berries and fruits.

Hedgehogs have a keen sense of smell and hearing, but poor eyesight. They run at speeds up to 3 m/s, swim and climb well.

The hedgehog is a representative of the chordate type, class mammals, order of hedgehogs, family of hedgehogs (Erinaceidae). Where the Russian name of the animal came from is still a mystery. There is a version that the term goes back to the Greek word "echinos", which translates as "snake eater". Another option is based on the Indo-European "eg`h", which means "to prick".

An ordinary hedgehog of small size: body length 20-30 cm, tail length up to 3 cm, weight 700-800 g. The ears are small, up to 3.5 cm (larger in the subspecies that lives in Cyprus). The muzzle is elongated. The nose is pointed and constantly moist. There are 20 small sharp teeth on the upper jaw, 16 on the lower jaw. The head is large, wedge-shaped, slightly elongated. Paws with five fingers and sharp claws. The hind legs are longer than the front legs. The needles are short, up to 3 cm long, smooth. On the head they are separated by a "parting". The color is striped, brown and light. Inside the needles are hollow, with air. Between them are thin, long, sparse hairs. They are dark on the head and belly. An adult hedgehog usually has 5000-6000 spines, young individuals up to 3000. The color of the muzzle, abdomen and paws is yellowish-white or dark brown. The breast and throat are uniform, without spots.

The common hedgehog is an omnivore. It feeds on adult insects, including harmful ones (May beetle, hairy ground beetle, nun caterpillar, gypsy moth), caterpillars, slugs, earthworms,. He also eats fruits and berries. It can eat eggs and chicks of small birds whose nests are located on the ground.

In captivity, hedgehogs eat vipers without harm to themselves. In the wild, this is also possible. Poisons (arsenic, sublimate, opium, hydrocyanic acid) have little effect on the hedgehog. Their dose, lethal to humans or other animals, does not kill a hedgehog.

The common hedgehog lives in Western and Central Europe, Great Britain, southern Scandinavia, northwestern Russia, Western Siberia and Kazakhstan. The species has been introduced to New Zealand.

The animal is found in a wide variety of habitats, avoiding only swamps and continuous coniferous massifs. The hedgehog loves to live on the edges, in copses, in small clearings, in floodplains, often next to people. Now the hedgehog is easy to meet in the city, where he has no natural enemies.

Common types of hedgehog

The family of hedgehogs consists of two subfamilies: real hedgehogs (Erinaceinae) and rat hedgehogs (gymnury) (Galericinae), which include 7 genera and 23 species. The most interesting of them:

The Eastern European hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) is similar in appearance to the European hedgehog, but its throat and belly are lighter than its head and sides. The length of adults is 35 cm, weight in summer is about 1.2 kg. It lives in such countries as Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, in the Mediterranean and Asia Minor.

African pygmy hedgehog (white-bellied hedgehog) (Atelerix albiventris). Body length 15-22 cm. Weight 350 to 700 g. Body color brown or gray, needles with white tips. The length of the tail is 2.5 cm. The eyes are small, the ears are round, the females are larger than the males. The species is distributed south of the Sahara, in Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Mauritania. It feeds on spiders, insects, scorpions, snakes, snails, and worms.

Long-spined hedgehog (dark-spined, bald hedgehog) (Paraechinus hypomelas) in length from 22 to 27 cm, weight 500-900 g. The name of the species is associated with a small bald spot on the crown and long, thick needles, about 4 cm long. The needles are colored differently : black with a white base or light, almost white. Found on rocky and sandy plains and foothills. The habitat includes the Arabian Peninsula, the islands of the Persian Gulf, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan. The species is listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan, protected by Turkmenistan.

The Ethiopian hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus) has light brown quills, short, dark legs, and a dark "mask" on its muzzle. Other parts of the body are white. The body length is 15-25 cm, weight 400-700 g. A very voracious species that is found in the deserts and steppes of northern Africa.

Dahurian hedgehog (Mesechinus dauuricus). Distinctive features of the species is the absence of a strip of bare skin that divides the spines on the head. The needles are short, sandy or brown, the fur is coarse, gray or dark brown. A typical inhabitant of the forest-steppe and steppe massif from Transbaikalia to Mongolia and northern China.

Common hymnura (Echinosorex gymnura). Body length 26-45 cm, weight from 500 g to 2 kg. The tail is covered with sparse hair and scales, 17-30 cm long, white at the back. The back and sides are black, the head and neck are white. The species is found in tropical rainforests in southeast Asia from Malacca to Borneo.

Small gymnura (Hylomys suillus) is the smallest representative of the genus, with a body length of 10 to 14 cm. The tail is 2.5 cm long. The weight is 45-80 g. The species is distributed in the mountainous areas of Southeast Asia (in Indonesia, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China).

Sexual dimorphism is not typical for an ordinary hedgehog; males and females do not have pronounced differences.

The common hedgehog is active at night, but does not leave the house for a long time. The day is spent in nests and other shelters. The hedgehog builds a nest in bushes, a hole, a cave, an abandoned rodent burrow, or in the roots of a tree. Its average diameter is 15-20 cm; inside, a litter of dry grass, foliage, and moss is laid. Males behave aggressively towards each other, protect their territory from intrusions. The area of one plot of the male is from 7 to 39 ha, and that of the female is from 6 to 10 ha. Animals lead a solitary lifestyle, and do not fit close to each other.

After the onset of frost, the hedgehog closes the entrance to the mink and falls into hibernation, on average from October to April. During the summer, the hedgehog stores a lot of fat, because if it is less than 500 g, then in winter it can die of hunger. After hibernation, the animal leaves the nest after the temperature rises to 15 °C.

Shedding is slow, occurs in spring or autumn. During the year, one needle out of three changes and grows from 12 to 18 months. The hedgehog carefully cares for the needles - licks and cleans.

The common hedgehog is a fairly fast animal for its size. It develops speed up to 3 m/s, swims and jumps well. The hedgehog's eyesight is poor, but it has a keen sense of smell and hearing.

The life expectancy of an ordinary hedgehog in nature is 3-5 years, in captivity up to 8-10 years.

When hibernation ends, the hedgehog begins mating season. Males often fight over females, bite, push, use needles in battles, while sniffing and snorting. The one who emerged victorious from the battle circles around the female for a long time. After mating, the male and female separate.

The hedgehog seeks shelter for itself or digs a mink, lining it with dry grass and foliage. The female produces only one brood per year. The duration of pregnancy is 49 days. There are 3-8 (average 4) cubs in a litter. They are born naked, blind, weighing about 12 g. Already after a few hours, soft needles appear in babies. The entire needle cover appears before the 15th day. The female feeds the cubs with milk for 1 month. After that, hedgehogs live on their own. They reach sexual maturity at the age of 10-12 months.

The population of the common hedgehog is stable and numerous, the species is widely distributed throughout the planet, moreover, it has been introduced into a number of regions where it has not been encountered before. Close proximity to humans allows the hedgehog to survive in any conditions.

The benefit of an ordinary hedgehog for humans is the destruction of harmful insects, it eats May beetles, caterpillars of nuns and gypsy moth. But it can also destroy bird chicks and eggs. For example, in the Outer Hebrides, where hedgehogs were brought, they became real pests, as they destroyed the clutches of snipe, dunlin, snail and lapwing.
Hedgehogs carry ringworm, yellow fever, salmonellosis, leptospirosis, and rabies. They are found ticks and fleas (carriers of pathogens of tick-borne encephalitis, tularemia), which the hedgehog is not able to get rid of.
Hedgehogs are often kept as pets. The inhabitants of ancient Rome in the 4th century. BC e. hedgehogs were grown for their meat: hedgehogs were baked together with needles in clay. Today, fried hedgehogs are a popular dish among gypsies. The skin of the hedgehog was used for leather dressing.
Since ancient times, a common misconception has appeared that a hedgehog pricks food, such as apples and mushrooms, on needles. Pliny the Elder described this in his writings, but in fact, the hedgehog never tolerates his food, and practically does not eat apples and mushrooms.

Appearance

The hedgehog is a well-known animal in appearance, whose back and sides are covered with short dark needles. Needles up to 3 cm long; in adult hedgehogs there are 5000-6000 of them, in young ones - only 3000. The needles are white at the base and at the end, in the middle they are painted with stripes of black, white and brown. The fur on the muzzle, legs and abdomen of the hedgehog is hard; in Russia, its gray color is most common. The chest and throat are solid with no white patches, unlike the similar white-bellied urchins.

The length of the hedgehog's body is 135-265 mm, the tail is no more than 3 cm; it weighs an average of 700-800 g, but before hibernation it can eat up to 1200 g. Males are larger than females. The muzzle is elongated, mobile; nose sharp and constantly moist. The eyes are black and round. The ears are short (less than 3.5 cm), rounded, almost hidden in the fur. The limbs are five-fingered, with rather sharp claws; the hind limbs are slightly longer than the forelimbs. There are 20 small sharp teeth on the upper jaw, 16 on the lower.

Needles

Hedgehog needles are hollow, filled with air and divided into compartments by transverse discs. Each ends with a small extension that is under the skin; therefore, the needles fall out along with the shreds of skin. They are smooth, without grooves and notches; like normal hair grow from the follicle. A muscle fiber is attached to each needle, which raises and lowers it; raised needles cross at different angles, creating a reliable prickly cover. Under the skin of the back of the hedgehog is a special muscle panniculus carnosis, which, when contracted, allows it to curl into a prickly ball. Each needle grows 12-18 months; the molting of the hedgehog is slow - on average, one needle out of three changes per year (mainly in spring and autumn).

Spreading

The area of distribution of the common hedgehog covers Europe (including Ireland and Britain), the Caucasus, Transcaucasia and Asia Minor. North of 61°N he is rare. In Russia, it is found in the middle zone of the European part, in the Middle Urals and in the south of Western Siberia. At the end of the XIX century. was established in New Zealand, where it is now abundant. Judging by the fossil remains, it was also previously found in North America.

Lifestyle and nutrition

The hedgehog leads a solitary lifestyle. Males aggressively protect individual feeding areas from each other. The areas of plots for males range from 7 to 40 ha, for females - from 6.9 to 10 ha. The males' territories may overlap with the females', but the territories of pregnant and lactating females never overlap. Within its territory, the hedgehog arranges several (up to 10) nests hidden in thorny bushes, under logs, in heaps of brushwood, etc. places. The nest (diameter 15-20 cm) is lined with dry grasses, leaves, moss, wood dust. In summer, it does not dig holes, sometimes it occupies empty holes of rodents. Active mainly at dusk and at night. In the spring, when hedgehogs emerge from hibernation, they are also active during the daytime. The hedgehog sleeps, curled up in a loose ball.

With the onset of frost (below +10 °C), having accumulated fat reserves, the hedgehog clogs the entrance to the hole and falls into hibernation, the duration of which depends on climatic conditions. In Central Russia, hibernation begins in late September - early October, although some individuals fall into a stupor as early as August. The adult males go into hibernation first, then the young of early litters and females that finish breeding early; the last - young late litters and females that had late broods. In regions with unstable snow cover, periods of hibernation alternate with periods of activity. In hibernation, the hedgehog's heart rate drops to 20-60 beats, and breathing - to one breath per minute. If a hedgehog falls asleep without a sufficient supply of fat (at least 500 g), he risks dying of hunger during hibernation. In some years, the mortality of hedgehogs during hibernation reaches 86% of young animals and 30-40% of adults. Hibernation ends in April, when the air temperature rises to +18 °C.

Hedgehog curled up in a ball.

The hedgehog feeds mainly on insects (beetles, earwigs) and their larvae, nods, slugs, snails, earthworms. A special delicacy for him are the larvae of mosquito centipedes, centipedes Glomeris marginata and Tachypodoiulus niger, and forest ground beetle carabus nemoralis. In nature, it rarely attacks vertebrates; most often, its victims are amphibians and reptiles (including snakes) that have fallen into a stupor, with which the hedgehog bites the spine. Of plant foods, he prefers acorns, mushrooms, berries and fruits. The hedgehog is very voracious, especially after hibernation - during the night it can eat food, which is equal to 1/3 of its weight. Hedgehogs kept as pets in captivity will readily eat meat, eggs, and bread. Contrary to popular belief, milk is unhealthy for hedgehogs and should not be fed dairy products as they are lactose intolerant. Dog or cat food is also not suitable for them, as it contains too much fat and is too poor in proteins. However, he loves ice cream. In addition, he enjoys eating oatmeal porridge.

Hedgehogs have a keen sense of smell and hearing, but poor eyesight. They run at speeds up to 3 m/s, swim and climb well. Wandering through the forest in search of food, the hedgehog rustles with last year's dry foliage, and it is easy to spot it by this noise. Hedgehogs make a variety of snorting and sneezing sounds, growling and clicking their teeth. The cubs, while in the nest, emit a whistle and quack, similar to a bird.

reproduction

Shortly after emerging from hibernation, hedgehogs begin mating season, which continues throughout the warm season. There are fights between males because of females: they bite each other, use needles, push, sniffing and snorting loudly. Caring for the female, the male walks around her in circles (10-12 times).

After mating, the male and female separate. The female digs a brood burrow or occupies an abandoned rodent burrow. Pregnancy lasts 31-49 days; offspring appears in May-October. There is usually one litter per year, but if the first mating happened early enough, there may be a second. There are from 1 to 9 (usually 5) cubs in a litter. Hedgehogs are born blind, naked, with bright pink skin, but after a few hours they have soft white needles, up to 150 in number. After 36 hours, dark-colored needles erupt. By the 18th day of life, hedgehogs are already completely covered with spines. On the 11th day, they can curl up into a ball, and on the 14-16th day, their eyes open. The mother takes care of the offspring for only 4-6 weeks. Puberty in hedgehogs occurs at 10-12 months. Hedgehogs live in nature 3-5 years, in captivity 2-3 years

Benefit and harm to people

An ordinary hedgehog is useful in the destruction of harmful insects: among the insects it eats are May beetles, hairy ground beetles, nun caterpillars and gypsy moth. At the same time, the hedgehog destroys the chicks and eggs of small birds nesting on the ground. So, in the Outer Hebrides, introduced hedgehogs turned into real pests, destroying the clutches of birds such as snipe, dunlin, snail and lapwing. Hedgehogs also rob layings of ordinary chickens and kidnap chickens.

A hedgehog can be a carrier of diseases such as ringworm, yellow fever, salmonellosis, leptospirosis. They are found in large quantities ticks and fleas. For example, the study of ixodid ticks (carriers of pathogens of tick-borne encephalitis, tularemia, babesiosis of cattle, piroplasmosis of horses) revealed that hedgehogs are among the hosts on which ticks feed in all phases of development. In forest lands, hedgehogs collect ticks, including encephalitic ones, more than any other animals, since its prickly cover, like a brush, combs hungry ticks from the grass. From ticks that have climbed between the needles, the hedgehog is not able to get rid of. During the spring season, each hedgehog feeds on itself tens of thousands of ixodid ticks; even a special unit for counting ticks in natural foci was included in the literature - “hour-hour”, meaning the number of ticks collected by a hedgehog per hour of running through a focal forest area.

Hedgehog - the most common, sometimes numerous species. It easily adapts to life around people and is quite often kept as a pet. It is known that the Romans in the IV century. BC e. hedgehogs were grown for meat - it was baked together with needles in clay. Some folk remedies (particularly for baldness) included ashes, bile, entrails, or hedgehog blood.

Privada

It is necessary to choose a site no more than one square meter, preferably on the eastern or southern side of the house, stick 4-6 flexible rods like a yurt into the ground with both ends so that inside this yurt there is a space the size of a soccer ball. From above, make a stack of dry grass up to half a meter high and cover it with something from the rain. Get a hedgehog house. Put a bait from the remains of fish or chicken bones into it.

Folklore about hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are mentioned in jokes:

“The secret of longevity of hedgehogs has been discovered! It turned out that there is no secret. Yes, and hedgehogs do not live long ... "

Vladimir Dal mentions a hedgehog in the following context:

"Keep someone in a tight grip, strictly."

"Hedgehog head to teach the craftswoman."

"He is overgrown with hedgehog bristles."

“Head hurts: cut to the goal, sprinkle with hedgehog fluff, and hit with a butt, a joke on doctors.”

Application in Russia under Dahl: "A hedgehog skin with needles, imposed on the muzzle of a calf, so that the cow would not be allowed to suck on it."

Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of books makes multiple references to "The Hedgehog Song". The song is about the complexity of the hedgehog breeding process and is somewhat obscene. The text of the "Song of the Hedgehog" did not appear in the books, but there are many fan-made variations in both English and Russian.

See also Hedgehog in the fog.
Fried hedgehog is a national gypsy dish.

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See what "Common hedgehog" is in other dictionaries:

Ordinary, everlasting, everyday, everyday, commonplace, wound up, ordinary, hackneyed, everyday, general, ordinary, constant, habitual, accepted, generally accepted, simple, ordinary, torny, common, commonly used, lesson, ... ... Synonym dictionary

hedgehog- Erinaceus europaeus see also 1.1.1. Genus Wood hedgehogs Erinaceus Common hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus (Table 1) Head, flanks and belly grey, quills with dark transverse stripes. It lives in central European Russia, in the Middle Urals and in ... Animals of Russia. Directory

ORDINARY, ordinary, ordinary; ordinary, ordinary, ordinary. 1. full only Habitual, regular, regular. "Reading did not produce its usual effect on him." Pushkin. “Everyone approached the door of the office ... ... Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov

The cute hedgehog is a character known to children from their earliest days. He is the hero of fairy tales and cartoons. Everyone knows what these animals look like. This is a creature of small size with a soft body, small eyes, an elongated nose and small paws.

But the most remarkable and characteristic feature of his appearance are the low spines that cover the upper part of the body. Such needles have a brown, gray-black or simply gray scale, where these colors are interspersed with light areas. All this can be seen picture of a hedgehog.

To this description, the biologist will add that these representatives of the fauna are mammals assigned to the hedgehog family. The body length of such creatures varies greatly from very small - no more than 10 cm, reaching almost half a meter.

On average, the weight of a hedgehog is about a kilogram, but in fact the mass, like the size, depends on the variety and gender, not to mention the age of such creatures. It can be either 300 g or one and a half kilograms. These animals have a tail. It can also be different: very short in size, and also grow in length over 20 cm.

The muzzle of this creature is elongated in the form of a wedge, at the end of which a wet nose stands out. Hedgehog teeth are sharp, small. The paws have an interesting feature: the hind limbs are larger than the front ones. And each of the paws has five fingers, while the middle fingers are longer than the others and adapted for cleaning hedgehog needles, which these creatures often do using such devices.

The spines themselves are hollow inside and on the body of animals they are interspersed with sparse, thin, hardly noticeable hairs. The number of needles can reach up to 10 thousand. The belly and head of these creatures are also covered with wool. The color of the hairs can be completely light, sandy, or vice versa dark.

The range of such animals extends quite extensively across the planet. Most often they are found in Europe, and starting from the British Isles and ending with the expanses of Siberia. They also live in the Middle East, in many areas of Asia, and in New Zealand.

Types of hedgehogs

There are enough types of hedgehogs. There are about 23 of them, and they are grouped into 7 genera and combined into two subfamilies. Their representatives differ from each other by external signs and by habitat. Moreover, most varieties of such animals are distinguished by well-developed muscles. The sense of smell and hearing of hedgehogs are simply excellent, but their eyesight can hardly be called good.

hedgehog

The most common and interesting types are presented below.

1.hedgehog also known as European. On this continent, such animals are not uncommon, but they are most common in its central and western regions, as well as in Kazakhstan. They are found frequently in Scandinavia and Great Britain. The size of the body of these creatures is approximately 25 cm, their weight is about 800 g. The needles of the European variety in adults grow in length by 3 cm.

It is noteworthy that such a prickly cover in hedgehogs, like wool, is also subject to molting. Needles change over time, only slowly enough. This natural process is carried out every autumn and spring. And then about a third of the prickly cover is replaced.

In place of the old needles, new ones appear, which grow to a full state for about a year. Their coloring is a hodgepodge of dark, brown-brown and white areas. The muzzle, abdomen and paws of animals are covered with yellowish or reddish, sometimes darker fur.

2. Eastern European hedgehog. From the name itself it is not difficult to understand that this species, like the previous one, is an inhabitant of Europe. However, it is more common in the eastern regions of the continent. And its range extends all the way to Asia Minor. Representatives of the variety are somewhat larger than the previous one: they grow in length by 35 cm and weigh more than a kilogram.

Eastern European hedgehog

3. eared hedgehog. Such animals, in comparison with other hedgehogs, are not at all large in size and usually do not reach more than half a kilogram in weight. However, they have disproportionately large ears - about 3 cm. And such an ornament is a rather noticeable detail on the head.

Such hedgehogs inhabit the warm regions of Eurasia, settling well in dry steppes. A distinctive feature of this species from relatives is the habit of hiding from enemies, quickly fleeing. While most varieties of hedgehogs usually curl up into a prickly ball and freeze in this form.

eared hedgehog

4. long-tailed hedgehog. The name itself eloquently broadcasts that the needles of such hedgehogs are longer than those of relatives. They reach a size of 4 cm or more. Moreover, their colors can be very diverse: from very light to black, but dark needles, as a rule, have white bases.

These hedgehogs also received the nickname bald due to the presence of bald spots on the crown of the head. They settle most often among rocky landscapes, living in the foothills, sometimes meeting on the plains. Their range extends to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the countries of the Persian Gulf. The species is considered rare, which is noted in the Red Book.

long-tailed hedgehog

5. African hedgehog- very interesting variety. Such animals have round ears and small eyes, a tail 2.5 cm long. They live in countries located south of the Sahara desert. These creatures are known for producing impressive sounds. They know how to squeal and snort, and when they are afraid, they even emit loud cries.

The size of males - representatives of this species (they are usually smaller than females) can be only 15 cm. That is why the species has another name: pygmy hedgehog. What do these types of hedgehogs eat? These African inhabitants eat worms, snails, snakes, scorpions, various insects and arachnids.

African hedgehog

6. Ordinary hymnura. Hedgehogs of this species are inhabitants of tropical forests and represent the subfamily of rat hedgehogs. They really do look like rats. The appearance of such creatures is decorated with a long tail covered with scales and hairs.

The color is predominantly white, complemented by black and reddish areas. These creatures feed on the fruits of plants, invertebrates and crustaceans, do not disdain fish, frogs and small animals. The size of animals varies considerably, but the largest individuals are able to grow in length by 45 cm.

Common hymnura hedgehog

Lifestyle and habitat

The dwellings of these animals are, as a rule, dug by them, about a meter long, holes. When the sun is shining, hedgehogs prefer to rest in their shelters. They successfully inhabit wooded areas, where their houses can be seen in the roots of bushes and trees. Hedgehogs comfortably settle in the steppes and even deserts.

Such representatives of the fauna are also able to occupy ready-made dwellings of rodents, once abandoned by them. Hedgehogs also settle in cultivated landscapes, meeting in gardens and parks, they often catch the eye of a person in the immediate vicinity of human habitation. Such animals are also found in foothill areas, where they find shelter between stones and in rock crevices.

In general, these creatures do not like to be in sight, and communication with relatives is usually not part of their intentions. By nature hedgehog is a solitary animal. He prefers to be active at night. It is during this period that hedgehogs get food, getting out to hunt.

But far from the place of their settlement, they do not like to be at all, being cautious creatures by nature. However, there are many dangers nearby. And the big problem here is cars moving along country roads.

Unfortunately, according to statistics, too many of these cute creatures die under car wheels, carelessly crawling out into dangerous areas and being invisible to drivers in the dark.

Fatal for hedgehogs may also be a meeting with predators. These include foxes, wolves, hyenas, as well as smaller animals - mongooses, martens, badgers and other four-legged enemies. Of the danger to hedgehogs are eagles and owls. They are well protected from many enemies by thorns.

It is known that these creatures tend to, feeling danger, curl up into a tight ball, exposing their sharp needles. And in this state, successfully eating a hedgehog is quite a challenge. However, cunning foxes are able to cope with prickly creatures.

If there is a body of water nearby, they push them into the water. And in order not to drown, the hedgehog has to straighten up from a folded position in order to row in the water with its paws. In such an unprotected state, foxes overtake them.

Hedgehogs that live in areas with an unfavorable climate build a nest for themselves in a secluded place by winter, the building material for which is dry leaves. With the onset of cold weather, they curl up into a ball and hibernate.

Nutrition

Having described the external features and vital activity of these animals, we now consider what do hedgehogs eat. Naturally, in matters of diet, everything largely depends on the habitat. The main menu consists of a variety of insect species. But in fact, such cute creatures are omnivores.

Hedgehog eats a snake

Earthworms, wood lice, slugs, caterpillars can serve as food. Ground beetles, spiders, beetles, locusts should also be classified as suitable for food. Of the larger prey for hedgehogs, some small-sized vertebrate creatures are suitable for food. They also love to eat bird eggs. Varieties that live closer to the northern regions prey on small rodents, frogs, and toads.

An interesting feature of hedgehogs is their innate immunity to natural poisons. Therefore, eating scorpions and snakes, the described animals do not harm the body. These omnivorous creatures are not poisoned by food waste, and therefore they also suit hedgehogs in the best way as food.

Little hedgehog eats a big apple

Plant-based nutrition greatly complements the diet of such creatures. Among the delicacies of this kind are a variety of berries and seeds of cereals. And therefore, settling close to people, in their gardens and orchards, the hedgehog has the opportunity to eat to satiety. In the forests, hedgehogs feed on mushrooms, moss, and acorns.

Reproduction and lifespan

Hedgehogs that live in the warm regions of the planet bring offspring twice a year. But the inhabitants of the more northern regions have the opportunity to give offspring only once. In the spring, waking up from hibernation (and in the middle lane this happens somewhere by the end of April or a little later), these representatives of the fauna are immediately preoccupied with the troubles associated with procreation.

Newborn hedgehogs

Hedgehogs in their burrows from dry grass and leaves build comfortable nests for cubs. Males are more concerned with the struggle for the attention of their girlfriends. Fights with rivals among such animals are common. Applicants use their sharp spines, bite enemies, while actively snorting and sniffing. Then the winners begin to show off in front of their partners, seeking their audience.

Such animals acquire the ability to mate and procreate at about one year of age. Before intercourse, hedgehogs, in order not to prick their partner, lower their spines, and therefore the needles do not interfere with the fertilization process. But when everything is already behind, the gentlemen immediately leave their girlfriends forever.

And mothers can only wait for the birth of cubs. The bearing of offspring occurs in a period that is usually less than two months. Further, completely naked, blind and helpless newborn hedgehogs are born, having a mass of just over 10 g, covered with delicate pink skin.

For the first hours, there are no spines on the body of the cubs, but already during the first day, soft growth appears on the upper part of the body of tiny hedgehogs. And after two weeks, the prickly cover of babies is formed almost completely.

Only a month is needed for children to grow to full independence. And all this time they feed on mother's milk. And then, they leave their native nest and go to an unfamiliar world full of dangers.

hedgehog female with offspring

How long do hedgehogs live? These cute creatures rarely live more than five years in the wild. However, it happens that people keep such harmless and peaceful pets at home. And there, in conditions of safety and comfort, hedgehogs can live up to 10 years.

Keeping a hedgehog at home

Having a pet hedgehog in the house, especially if such a pet is started for children, is not a bad decision at all. However, it is better to buy such an animal, and not to catch wild animals, because they may be carriers of infection.

Hedgehog at home will not cause trouble for big owners. It is best to keep it in a metal or wooden, preferably a spacious cage, where straw or sawdust should be laid on the floor. Feed such pets should be finely chopped, lean raw meat, fresh fish, boiled liver.

You can offer this creature carrots and apples. The hedgehog will be very pleased if the owner includes flour worms or bloodworms in his menu. By the way, dried cockroaches can serve as a delicacy. But it is categorically not recommended to regale such pets with milk. From this product, hedgehogs have indigestion.