What type of animal is a hedgehog? Forest hedgehogs (lat.

Species: Common hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

Order: Insectivores (Eulipotyphla)

Family: Hedgehogs (Erinaceidae)

Genus: Eurasian hedgehogs (Erinaceus)

The common hedgehog, or European hedgehog, is the largest representative of the insectivorous order. It is easy to distinguish it from other animals by its spiny back. This inquisitive and energetic animal is well oriented in the surrounding world thanks to its keen sense of smell and keen hearing. Paleontological studies have proven that hedgehogs have existed in nature for 15 million years.

Appearance of a hedgehog

The common hedgehog is a prickly small animal. The body length of the animal reaches 20-30 centimeters, the tail is short and grows up to 3 centimeters. Adults weigh about 800 grams. Males are slightly larger in size than females.

Instead of hair top part The bodies of hedgehogs are covered with a strong, needle-like shell. The head and belly are protected by coarse, fairly tough fur. The needles of European hedgehogs are short, 2-3 centimeters long. The surface of the spines is smooth, thin but long, very sparse hair grows between them.

The muzzle of this species is elongated with a movable and constantly moist nose. On the lower jaw, insectivorous animals have 16 small but sharp teeth, on the upper jaw - 20. The upper incisors are spaced widely so that there is room for the lower one to bite. The first incisors are enlarged and therefore look like fangs. Sharp teeth allow hedgehogs to easily chew shellfish shells and hard insect wings.

Small ears (up to 3.5 centimeters long) are visible on the wedge-shaped head of mammals. It is noteworthy that the common hedgehogs that inhabit Cyprus have larger ears. In the middle of the head there is a strip of bare skin without needles or hair.

Hedgehog in autumn leaves

The hind limbs of spiny animals are slightly longer than the front ones. The paws have 5 toes with sharp claws. The average size of forelimb prints is 25-30 millimeters, hind paw prints are approximately 35-47 millimeters. The width of the track is about 7 centimeters; the hind limbs partially overlap the prints of the front ones, since hedgehogs move in small steps.

Interesting fact

The body of adult hedgehogs is covered with approximately 5000-6000 strong spines; young hedgehogs have slightly fewer spines - about 3000. Inside the needles are hollow, filled with air.

The color of the fur on the face, legs and belly common hedgehogs varies from yellowish white to dark brown. The needles are distinguished by a brownish tint and have characteristic dark transverse stripes. On the chest and throat the color is uniform, without spots. European hedgehogs living in Spain have pale fur color.

Interesting fact

Hedgehogs have well-developed subcutaneous muscles. Strong longitudinal and developed circular muscles of the body help animals curl into a tight, prickly ball, bristling with needles.

Habitat of hedgehogs

The distribution range of the common hedgehog includes Central and Western Europe, Asia Minor, southern part Scandinavia and the British Isles, northeastern China. This species is also found in Western Siberia, in the European part of Russia and the South Caucasus, and in Kazakhstan. In addition, the European hedgehog was introduced into New Zealand. In the Alps, hedgehogs live at altitudes of up to 2000 meters above sea level in the zone of dwarf pines.

The species Erinaceus europaeus lives in a variety of places in the wild. These mammals prefer to settle in small clearings, broad-leaved and mixed forests, copses and edges, near river valleys. They are often found near people, in cultivated landscapes, and even in cities. Hedgehogs try to avoid dense coniferous areas and heavily swampy areas.

On the European continent, the common hedgehog can be found in open forests, bushes, grassy plains, sandy areas and even park areas. These animals dig small burrows for themselves in bushes and under tree roots, and sometimes settle in abandoned rodent dwellings. Hedgehogs do not stray far from their homes.

Hedgehog diet

The European hedgehog is an omnivore. The main part of its diet consists of insects, slugs and caterpillars, and earthworms. Hedgehogs also feed on sweet berries and fruits, and seeds of cereal plants. Sometimes they eat mushrooms, acorns and moss; they can also eat food waste found on summer cottages.

In natural habitats, these mammals rarely attack vertebrates; torpored amphibians and reptiles become victims of hedgehogs. Northern populations of representatives of the hedgehog family feed on frogs, lizards, mice and other small rodents (shrews, voles). They love to feast on the eggs and young chicks of ground-nesting birds. In general, hedgehogs are very voracious and in one night of hunting can eat an amount of food equal to 1/3 of their own weight.

Interesting fact

While studying the behavior of European hedgehogs in New Zealand, scientists noticed that in new living conditions the animals become less asocial and can even spend the night in common shelters. The diet also changed; hedgehogs began to eat native plants, sometimes replacing their usual food of animal origin.

Ordinary hedgehogs have well-developed hearing and sense of smell, but weak vision. It is the subtle sense of smell that helps animals find food in complete darkness. In addition, these animals swim well and can jump. When running, they reach speeds of up to 4 kilometers per hour, and walk by stepping on the ground with their entire foot.

Interesting fact

Hedgehogs are sensitive to odors. When encountering a strong-smelling object, they exhibit a very strange behavior that zoologists call “self-lubrication.” Mammals lick the object until foamy saliva begins to secrete in their mouths, and then transfer it to their spines. Scientists have not yet found an explanation for this.

In mid-autumn, when the soil begins to freeze and the amount of hedgehogs’ main food decreases sharply, the prickly animals begin to prepare for hibernation. For the winter, they build large nests in empty spaces under old stumps and tree roots, under piles of dead wood. With the onset of severe frosts, animals hide in the shelter and tightly close the entrance. Then they burrow into fallen leaves, curl into a loose ball and fall into real winter hibernation. And only in a warm, snowless winter can you meet a hedgehog awakened from sleep, wandering around the hole in confusion.

Interesting fact

Hedgehogs use their needle-like cover to transport various “construction” materials when constructing a nest for hibernation.

During deep sleep, hedgehogs' heartbeat slows down to several beats per minute, blood pressure drops and body temperature drops sharply to 2 degrees Celsius. During hibernation, the mass of mammals decreases by a third, since they do not feed, but live thanks to the fat reserves stored in the body. If hedgehogs have not accumulated enough body fat (approximately 500 grams) over the summer and autumn months, they may die of starvation in winter.

After a period of hibernation, the animals do not leave the hole until the air warms up to 15 degrees Celsius. At the end of winter sleep, hedgehogs wake up very hungry and can go in search of food not only at night, but also during the day.

Typically, European hedgehogs shed in spring or autumn. This process is slow; only one needle out of three changes per year. Each new thorn takes approximately 12-18 months to grow.

Reproduction of hedgehogs

Right after hibernation, early spring mating season begins for common hedgehogs. Fierce fights often occur between males for the female. Hedgehogs push and bite each other, use their prickly needles in battle, while the animals sniffle very loudly and even snort. However, despite the fierceness of the fight, the males do not cause serious damage to each other. Usually the weaker opponent will simply run away. After the fight is over, the winning male begins courtship - circling around the female, puffing and quietly snorting. These games can last for several hours. As a result, the female strongly smoothes her needles and the pair begins to mate.

Pregnancy in females lasts approximately 5-6 weeks. For the birth of cubs expectant mother specially arranges a brood nest, lining it with soft grass and dry leaves. In one litter, from May to October, from 2 to 9 babies are born, usually 5-6.

Interesting fact

If a den with small hedgehogs is discovered by a person or animal, caring mother in teeth transfers offspring to a new nest.

Hedgehogs are born naked, blind and helpless. Their skin is a bright pink hue. Newborns weigh about 20 grams with a body length of up to 6.5 centimeters. Within a few hours after birth, hedgehogs grow light, soft needles (100-150 pieces). Over the next 36 hours, dark-colored needles appear. By this time, the babies are already beginning to see the light and, in general, are growing very quickly.

In the first days of the cubs' life, the mother warms them with her warmth. After a week, small hedgehogs begin to crawl, and at the age of 11 days they can already curl into a ball. Closer to the third week of life, the needle-like cover is completely formed in animals. The lactation period lasts 1 month, after which the young begin an independent life. After two months, the young individuals grow to the size of adults. Hedgehogs reach sexual maturity in the second year of life.

A hedgehog in the wild ordinary lives 3-5 years, in captivity - up to 10 years.

The hedgehog is having lunch

Benefits and harms for humans

The common hedgehog eats harmful insects: May beetles, gypsy moths, nun caterpillars and weevils, which benefits humans. But at the same time, hedgehogs destroy domestic eggs and chicks, as well as birds nesting on the ground, and eat shrews and moles.

In addition, fleas and ticks are found in large quantities on hedgehogs, and therefore these animals can be carriers of such dangerous diseases as tularemia, tick-borne encephalitis, yellow fever, salmonellosis and leptospirosis, ringworm, and rabies.

In forest plantations and forested areas, hedgehogs collect various ticks (including encephalitis) on themselves much more than any other animals. This is facilitated by the needle-like cover, which, like a brush, collects hungry ticks from the grass. Hedgehogs can no longer get rid of ticks that are firmly caught between the thorns.

Enemies of hedgehogs in their natural habitat

The prickly animals move through the forest very noisily, and during meals they sniff and chomp, which often attracts attention to themselves. But most predators are too tough for hedgehogs. When meeting with large forest inhabitants, sensing the slightest danger, they snort and try to jump up to prick the enemy. If this technique does not work, the hedgehogs curl up into a prickly ball. Mammals can remain in this position for quite a long time.

However, sharp spines do not always reliably protect hedgehogs from predators. Bears and foxes, wolves and jackals, badgers, eagles can turn the animals around. During night hunting, representatives of the hedgehog family are often attacked by eagle owls. Thanks to the soft plumage, the flight of these birds is almost silent, which allows them to overtake hedgehogs by surprise.

Interesting fact

The number of hedgehogs in the wild directly depends on successful wintering. In cold winters, animals often freeze, choosing a shelter that is not deep enough for hibernation.

Hedgehog at home

Hedgehogs easily adapt to life around humans and are popular pets these days. Many people, having caught a prickly animal in the forest, bring it to their home. This is a very unwise decision. Hedgehogs living in the wild can carry dangerous diseases. In addition, ticks and fleas can almost always be found in the thorns of these animals.

The best way to buy a funny hedgehog is to contact breeders who can guarantee the pet’s health and good heredity.

It's not difficult. The animals need to find a decent home - a spacious metal or wooden cage, always with a pallet. The bottom of the cage should always be covered with straw or sawdust. They need to be changed every day to prevent unpleasant odor. Bowls of water and food should also be placed in the cage. For food, you can offer your hedgehog:

Lean raw meat, cut into pieces;
Fresh fish;
Boiled liver;
Carrots and apples;
Crickets, mealworms, bloodworms.

If you plan to let your pet roam around the room, you will need to keep a close eye on him. A hedgehog can get hurt, get tangled in electrical wires, or chew things. Since hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, it is in the dark that they will snort, puff and rustle in a house or apartment. It is also important not to forget that these mammals are loners, and therefore two pets cannot live peacefully in one cage.

Healthy adults can be bathed (but not frequently) by cleaning out the spines with a toothbrush.

It should also be mentioned that domestic hedgehogs in captivity need hibernation. Without deep sleep, the animal may die. IN autumn period The animal needs to be fed intensively so that the body stores enough fat. At the end of autumn, the hedgehog will experience a period of lethargy and numbness, which means that it is time for hibernation. You should put a lot of dry leaves and sawdust in your pet's cage, then place your pet hedgehog there. The cage should be taken to a cool place where the air temperature will not exceed 5 degrees Celsius - to the attic, veranda or barn.

A hedgehog is an animal that belongs to the phylum Chordata, class Mammals, order Urchiniformes, family Urchinaceae (Erinaceidae).

The origin of the Russian word “hedgehog” has not yet been fully studied. According to one version, the hedgehog got its name from the Greek “echinos”, which means “snake eater”. Supporters of another version see in the word “hedgehog” the Indo-European root “eg`h”, meaning “to prick”.

Hedgehog: description and photo. What does the animal look like?

The body length of a hedgehog, depending on the species, ranges from 10 to 44 cm. The weight of a hedgehog varies from 300 grams to 1.5 kilograms. The animal also has a tail, which grows from 1 to 21 cm in length.

Hedgehog tail

The animals have a large wedge-shaped head and an elongated muzzle with a pointed, mobile and moist nose.

The hedgehog's teeth are small and sharp; there are 20 teeth on the upper jaw and 16 on the lower jaw. Some types of hedgehogs have up to 44 teeth. The first incisors are enlarged and look like fangs.

The hind legs are longer than the front legs, each limb ends in 5 fingers, with the exception of the white-bellied hedgehog, whose hind legs have 4 fingers.

Long middle fingers help the hedgehog clean its spines.

The hedgehog's spines are hollow, with thin, sparse, barely noticeable hairs growing between them. The head and belly of the animal are covered with regular fur. On average, each hedgehog carries up to 10 thousand needles, which are gradually renewed.

The color of the needles of most species is dark, with alternating light stripes. The color of a hedgehog's fur, depending on the species, can be black-brown, brown, sandy or white. In some places, the black color displaces the white, forming peculiar spots.

Most species of hedgehogs are distinguished by well-developed subcutaneous muscles. When in danger, the hedgehog curls up into a ball, and in this it is helped by the subcutaneous muscles located in the places where the spines grow.

Like most nocturnal animals, hedgehogs have poor vision, but their hearing and sense of smell are well developed.

It is difficult to call these animals fast; the average speed of a fleeing hedgehog is 3-4 km/h. Despite the fact that the hedgehog is a land animal, most species are excellent swimmers and climbers.

Hedgehog lifespan

The lifespan of a hedgehog in nature is 3-5 years. At home, hedgehogs live up to 8-10 years, as they do not die from natural enemies who hunt hedgehogs in the wild. The main enemies of hedgehogs are wolves, foxes, ferrets, owls, badgers, martens, mongooses, hyenas, jackals, honey badgers, eagles, and other predators.

Where do hedgehogs live?

The habitat of hedgehogs is quite wide: this prickly animal is found in all European countries - from southern regions Scandinavia to the British Isles, the hedgehog lives in Russia and hot Africa, Asia, New Zealand and the Middle East.

In nature, wild hedgehogs live in forests, deserts, steppes, cultivated landscapes and even cities. They dig burrows under tree roots or in bushes, and also settle in abandoned rodent burrows.

How do hedgehogs live in nature?

By nature, hedgehogs are nocturnal animals and solitary animals, leading a secretive lifestyle. During the day, hedgehogs sleep, hiding in self-dug holes up to 1 meter long or occupying empty rodent dwellings. Populations of foothill areas use crevices between rocks and voids under stones as shelters. At night, wild hedgehogs go hunting, preferring not to go far from home. Unfortunately, statistics show that quite a few hedgehogs are killed by cars while trying to cross highways at night.

What do hedgehogs eat in the wild?

The hedgehog is omnivorous, but the main diet consists of adult insects, earwigs, beetles, spiders, ground beetles, caterpillars, slugs, woodlice, and earthworms. Hedgehogs also love to eat toads, locusts, bird eggs, crustaceans and invertebrates. Northern populations of forest urchins feed on lizards, frogs, mice and other small rodents.

All species of the hedgehog family are resistant to any, even the most toxic poisons That's why hedgehogs eat poisonous snakes and scorpions. The hedgehog does not disdain carrion, and also food waste, which can be found in summer cottages. The forest hedgehog's plant food includes mushrooms, moss, acorns, cereal seeds and any sweet berries - strawberries, raspberries, blackberries.

Over the summer, the hedgehog must fatten well, otherwise the animal may die during hibernation.

A substantial supply of fat allows hedgehogs to remain in a state of suspended animation from October to April.

Types of hedgehogs: photos, names and descriptions

The hedgehog family includes 2 subfamilies: real hedgehogs(Erinaceinae) and rat hedgehogs(hymnurs) (Galericinae), represented by 7 genera and 23 species. Below are several interesting species hedgehogs:

Common hedgehog(European hedgehog) ( Erinaceus europaeus)

One of the most common types of hedgehogs. The body length is 20-30 cm, the tail grows to 3 cm, weight - about 800 g. The hedgehog's needles are no more than 3 cm long, the color is brownish-brownish with dark crossbars. The color of the muzzle, limbs and belly can be dark or yellow-white.

The common hedgehog is a typical inhabitant of woodlands, plains and parks in Western and Central Europe, Great Britain, the Scandinavian countries, the Western Siberian region, the north-west of the European part of Russia and Kazakhstan.

Molting of the common the hedgehog is coming slowly, in autumn or spring. Every third needle is changed. Needles grow for about a year and even a little longer.

long eared hedgehog(Hemiechinus auritus)

It is distinguished by long ears, sometimes growing up to 5 cm in length. Representatives of the species are small, the size of the hedgehog reaches from 12 to 27 cm in length, the weight is 430 g. The needles of the long-eared hedgehog have a length of 1.7 to 1.9 cm. In case of danger, the animals rarely curl up into a ball, trying to escape.

This type of hedgehog prefers dry steppes, deserts and semi-deserts, where it lives in damp ravines and abandoned ditches. The habitat covers Africa, Asia Minor and Central Asia, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. In Russia, the long-eared hedgehog lives in areas from the Volga region to the Ural Mountains.

The animals feed on insects, lizards, toads, beetles, ants, small birds, berries, seeds, and fruits.

Eastern European hedgehog(Erinaceus concolor)

Reminds me European hedgehog, but the color of the front of the neck and belly is much lighter than the fur on the head and sides. Adults grow up to 35 cm in length, and the weight of a hedgehog is summer period can reach 1.2 kg.

The Eastern European species of hedgehogs is common in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, the Urals, Kazakhstan, Asia Minor and the Mediterranean islands. It is found in a wide variety of areas: on the edges of forests, in parks, garden plots, fields and river valleys.

Hedgehogs feed on caterpillars, ground beetles, beetles, earwigs, snails, woodlice, slugs, earthworms, moss, acorns, sunflower seeds, berries (strawberries, raspberries, strawberries, mulberries), and mushrooms.

African pygmy hedgehog (white-bellied hedgehog) ( Atelerix albiventris)

It has a body length of 15 to 22 cm. The weight of the animal reaches 350-700 g. The color is usually brown or gray, the hedgehog's needles have white tips. Usually the African hedgehog quietly snorts or squeals, but in case of danger it can scream loudly. The hedgehog's tail reaches 2.5 cm in length. The animal's eyes are small, its ears are round, and females are larger than males.

African hedgehogs live south of the Sahara Desert, in countries such as Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Mauritania. They eat spiders, insects, scorpions, snakes, snails, and worms.

Long-spined hedgehog (dark-spined, bald hedgehog) ( Paraechinus hypomelas)

It measures up to 22-27 cm in length with a body weight of 500-900 grams. The species got its name due to a small bald spot on the crown and long, thick needles, up to 4-4.2 cm long. The hedgehog's needles have different colors: it can be black with a white base or very light, almost white.

The bald hedgehog lives on plains and foothills, preferring rocky and sandy landscapes. The range partially extends across the Arabian Peninsula, the Persian Gulf Islands, through Iran and Pakistan to Kazakhstan. It is listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan and is also protected by the state on the territory of Turkmenistan.

Long-spined hedgehogs eat insects, locusts, cicadas, ground beetles, weevils, click beetles, small invertebrates and reptiles, including snakes, and rodents. Does not disdain carrion.

Ethiopian hedgehog(Paraechinus aethiopicus)

It is distinguished by light brown needles, short, dark limbs and a dark “mask” on the face. At the same time, the remaining parts of the body are white. An adult grows up to 15-25 cm in length, and the weight of a hedgehog ranges from 400 to 700 g. In general, the species is distinguished by rare gluttony.

The Ethiopian hedgehog lives in the deserts and sun-scorched steppes of North Africa: from Egypt and Tunisia to the coast of the Persian Gulf.

Ethiopian hedgehogs feed on insects, scorpions, snakes, bird eggs, frogs, termites, beetles, and locusts.

Daurian hedgehog(Mesechinus dauuricus)

It belongs to the genus Steppe Urchins and differs from most of its relatives in the absence of a strip of bare skin separating the spines of the head into a parting. The hedgehog's spines are short, sandy or brown in color, the fur is coarse, gray or dark brown.

This species of hedgehog is a typical inhabitant of forest-steppes and steppe areas from Transbaikalia to Mongolia and northern China. Hedgehogs feed on beetles, small mammals (hamsters, pikas), chicks and eggs of birds, snakes, frogs, toads, cotoneaster and rose hip berries.

Ordinary gymnura(Echinosorex gymnura)

Belongs to the subfamily of rat hedgehogs. Gymnura grows in length from 26 to 45 cm with a body weight from 500 g to 2 kg. The hedgehog's tail, covered with sparse hairs and scales, reaches 17-30 cm in length, and its back part is colored white. The back and sides are black, the hedgehog's head and neck are white.

Gymnura inhabits wet tropical forests southeast Asia from Malacca to Borneo. It feeds on invertebrates and small vertebrates, crustaceans, frogs, toads, fish, and fruits.

Small hymnura ( Hylomys suillus)

The smallest in the family. The length of its body does not exceed 10-14 cm. The tail reaches 2.5 cm. The weight of the animal is 45-80 grams.

The animal lives in mountainous areas and on hills in countries southeast asia(Indonesia, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China). Lesser gymnura eat insects and worms.

Reproduction of hedgehogs

At the end of hibernation, when the air warms up to 18-20 degrees, mating season begins for hedgehogs. Hedgehogs reach sexual maturity at 10-12 months. Northern populations reproduce once a year, southern populations produce offspring twice.

Female hedgehogs build nests in their burrows, lining the bottom of the hole with dry leaves and grass.

Males often fight for the female, starting fights with sniffling and snorting, biting each other on the face and legs, and pricking themselves with sharp needles. Then the winner circles for a long time around the female, who thoroughly smoothes her needles before mating. Hedgehogs are polygamous animals and immediately separate after mating.

The gestation period ranges from 34 to 58 days, resulting in the birth of 1 to 7 (usually 4) cubs weighing 12 grams.

Newborn hedgehogs are blind, covered with completely bare, bright pink skin. During the first day of life, soft, light and dark needles grow on the body of small hedgehogs. After 2 weeks, the animal’s needle-like cover is already fully formed.

For the first month, the female hedgehog feeds the cubs with milk, then the young begin to live independently.

Keeping a hedgehog at home and caring for it

Nowadays, hedgehogs are considered quite popular pets, but catching a wild animal and bringing it home is an unwise decision. A wild hedgehog can be a carrier of a number of dangerous diseases: ringworm, salmonellosis, hemorrhagic fever, rabies. In addition, you can almost always find fleas and ticks on hedgehogs. Therefore, the best way to acquire a funny animal is to contact breeders who guarantee the pet’s health, good heredity and adaptation to existence in captivity.

When do hedgehogs hibernate?

The most important thing that the future owner of a prickly pet should know: even in captivity, a domestic hedgehog needs hibernation, albeit not as long as in natural conditions. Otherwise, by spring the animal may die. True, this does not apply to African pygmy hedgehogs that do not hibernate. In autumn, hedgehogs need to be fed intensively, since it is during this period that hedgehogs accumulate fat reserves.

At the end of October - beginning of November, the animal will experience a period of numbness and lethargy, this means the beginning of hibernation. Usually in nature, hedgehogs spend the winter in their nest, so the animal needs to be given a secluded place where the temperature does not exceed 5 degrees Celsius: on a loggia, attic, or in a barn. In warm weather, the hedgehog may not hibernate. You need to put dry leaves, sawdust, straw, and rags into the nest of a domestic hedgehog. And then you can identify your pet there.

How to wash a hedgehog at home?

You can bathe a hedgehog at home only if we are talking about an adult healthy animal. Small newborn hedgehogs, as well as sick, weak animals should not be washed. Take a basin and fill it with warm water no higher than 34.8 degrees Celsius. The water level should not exceed 5 cm. Instead of a basin, you can use a washbasin to bathe your pet hedgehog; the main thing is to monitor the water temperature.

Supporting the hedgehog under its head and chest, you can lower it into the water. You need to let the hedgehog get comfortable, but don't let him swim. Wash the hedgehog's belly and paws, then its back and quills. Do not pour water on its face, otherwise your pet hedgehog may get scared. To wash the hedgehog's needles, you can use a toothbrush and neutral baby shampoo, which should be rinsed thoroughly. After washing the hedgehog, you can wrap it in a towel. But under no circumstances should you dry it with a hairdryer and protect your pet from drafts.

The ancient Romans used hedgehog skins to comb sheep.
Gypsies eat hedgehogs, and fried hedgehog is a favorite gypsy dish.
Serbs treat alcoholism with hedgehog urine, and use the animal’s heart as a talisman against illness.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the McDonalds restaurant chain killed many unfortunate hedgehogs. Cups from the popular McFlurry ice cream ended up in the trash, which did not fail to take advantage of hedgehogs with a sweet tooth. The animals happily licked the remnants of the ice cream, sticking their heads into the neck of the glass, but they could not pull it back out because the diameter of the container was too poor. As a result, thousands of hedgehogs died, essentially walled up in glasses. As a result of protests from animal rights activists, the diameter of the necks of the glasses was changed, and animals stopped dying.

Direct relatives of Hedgehog. HEDGEHOG RELATIVES

My thoughts are my horses. :)) You never know when and what will come into your head. This time, the thought suddenly came to me about who the Hedgehog’s relatives are now and from whom he descends, that is, who was his ancestor or ancestors. It turns out that not everything is as simple as it seemed at first glance. That's what we'll talk about.
Ugolieok

HEDGEHOG RELATIVES

Hedgehogs belong to the order of insectivores. Consequently, all mammals of the order insectivores are relatives of the Hedgehog. This order, which, according to some scientists, consists of 7 families and 3 subfamilies, and, according to others, 10 families, includes such different animals that it is even difficult to imagine them as relatives. Well, really, what do they have in common? prickly hedgehog And underground dweller- a mole? Nevertheless, they are relatives. They had common ancestors who lived 135 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed our planet. From these ancestors, modern insectivores have retained some characteristics. One of them - especially important for systematic zoologists - is a special pattern on the molars.

Insectivores are the most ancient group of mammals. They appeared on Earth, apparently, during the time of the first dinosaurs. These are Hedgehogs, moles, shrews and muskrats - small animals that live on the ground, in the soil, forest floor or in fresh water bodies. All of them have poor vision and find prey by smell or sound. In addition to insects, they eat all small animals they can catch, and sometimes also seeds and succulent parts of plants. Some of them somewhat resemble rodents, but are distinguished by a pointed head with a nose extended into a short proboscis. The teeth of insectivores are small, cone-shaped, very sharp, and not at all similar to the teeth of rodents. These secretive animals are rarely seen, but they play an important role in nature, especially in the forest area. They dig and loosen the soil and naturally regulate the number of insects on the forest floor.

Hedgehogs are found in North Asia (Northeast China, Mongolia, Korea) and South Asia (India, the Philippines, Kalimantan, Sumatra), in New Zealand (they were brought there by European settlers along with domestic animals), in the Middle East (for example, in Egypt and Syria), in European countries, in Africa (for example, on the island of Madagascar), in the territory North America. By the way, according to information from one page about Hedgehogs compiled by an American amateur, Hedgehogs were purposefully and gradually imported to the USA from... Africa! At the same time, the Hedgehogs underwent mandatory sanitary quarantine.

Hedgehogs living in other, exotic countries are different types, including exotic ones. For example, Hedgehogs live on Earth without needles. The so-called "non-thorny Hedgehogs":

There are four such species of Hedgehogs, all of them live in South Asia. One species is found only in the Philippines, the rest are found on mainland Asia and on the islands of Kalimantan and Sumatra. These Hedgehogs have tails similar to rats, and not 36 teeth, like our Hedgehogs, but 40!

Immediate family woolly hedgehogs- gap teeth. These animals are also insectivores. But, as they say, that's another story. By the way, they are found only in Cuba and Haiti.

The closest relatives of the slittooths are “tenrecs” (Tenrecs are also Hedgehogs.) They are bristly hedgehogs. There are thirty (!) species, and all of them live only on the island of Madagascar. Tenrecs come with tails and without tails. In others, the tail is 2.5 times longer than the body. And on their backs they can grow stubble, simple hair, and needles. Some can curl up into a ball, while others cannot.

Many tenrecs obtain their food, like real Hedgehogs, by hunting on the surface of the earth. Some dig in minks like moles, and some even climb trees with pleasure. One family of tenrecs can have up to 20 cubs.
Read more about tenrecs here:
Tenrec - striped bristly hedgehog: let's get acquainted

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 Urchinidae 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. 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 in a home environment, then in the absence of natural enemies it can 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.

Forest hedgehogs eat moss, mushrooms, acorns, cereal seeds and any berry - raspberries, blackberries, strawberries - as plant food. 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 numbering from 1 to 7 appear (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 in appearance they are similar to Europeans, but have lighter hair 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 on the Mediterranean islands. Their habitat can be very different - parks, copses, garden 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 are white at the tips. All hedgehogs usually snort quietly, but the African hedgehog can make quite loud sounds when in danger. As the name suggests, African hedgehogs live south of the desert Sahara - 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 delivering it home is not the most best solution. In nature, wild hedgehogs can be carriers of one of the dangerous diseases - ringworm, salmonellosis, hemorrhagic fever and even rabies. In addition, they almost always have ticks and fleas.

Therefore, if you decide to get a 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 the autumn, 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 heroes of many fairy tales and cartoons; we all have known them since childhood. In the summer, when the sun is setting, these interesting animals can be found not only on the forest edge, but also on quiet village streets, in city parks, as well as in gardens, where they look for food - beetles, worms and other invertebrates.

Hedgehogs appeared on Earth more than 15 million years ago. Today they live in Western and Central Europe, European Russia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, and Kazakhstan. They are also found on Far East and in Siberia. They prefer to live in deciduous forests, meadows and bushes. They can hide from enemies (foxes, eagle owls, wild pigs, crows, badgers and ferrets) in tall herbaceous plants and the roots of old trees. Avoid dense coniferous areas, mountainous and swampy areas.

Some species live in the dry steppes and deserts of Africa and the Middle East.

Types of hedgehogs

The hedgehog family (Erinaceidae) includes two subfamilies: Hedgehogs, or true hedgehogs (Erinaceinae), and gymnura (Galericinae) (the so-called rat hedgehogs). Gymnurs, unlike the well-known real hedgehogs covered with needles, lack such “decoration”.

The subfamily True hedgehogs includes 15 species of hedgehogs in four genera:

Representatives of the African hedgehog genus:

Algerian;
White-bellied;
Somali;
South African.

To the family Steppe hedgehogs There are 2 types:

Daursky;
Chinese.

To the family Eurasian hedgehogs applies:

Eastern European;
Amursky;
Ordinary or European.

Genus Eared hedgehogs:

Apodal;
Indian;
Collared;
Dark needle;
Ethiopian;
Eared hedgehog.

In the fauna of Russia there are three species of these animals: the common (European hedgehog), the Daurian hedgehog and the long-eared hedgehog. The common hedgehog is the largest and most numerous species.

The long-eared hedgehog weighs almost half as much as an ordinary one. It lives up to its name: its ears are really longer. In Russia, it is distributed in the Lower Volga region, the North Caucasus, and Tuva. Read more about big-eared hedgehog can be found in the article.

Larger than the long-eared one, the spiny covering on the head is not divided by a “parting”, like that of the European hedgehog. Distributed in Transbaikalia. It differs from other species in that in cloudy weather it is also active during the daytime.

If you want to have a pet hedgehog
A species such as the African white-bellied hedgehog is much more suitable for keeping at home than the common (European) hedgehog. – a hybrid breed bred specifically for home keeping. It is significantly smaller than the European one that is familiar to us, does not emit a smell, is friendly and does not hibernate. In addition, male African white-bellied hedgehogs do not mark territory, and females have little estrus.

External features of hedgehogs

The body length is 14-30 cm, the tail is about 3 cm. The size of the hedgehog depends on whether the animal is of African or European origin. African hedgehogs grow to a maximum of 24 cm, European ones are larger - up to 30 cm. They weigh from 0.7 to 1.2 kg. The weight of the animals depends on the season: in autumn they are the most well-fed.

The color of hedgehogs may vary slightly. The upper parts are usually dark brown with light colored needle tips, but can be black or whitish-gray. The abdomen, depending on the species, is brown, gray or black, often with a white spot on the chest. The head and abdomen are covered with thick, coarse hair, which allows hedgehogs to avoid pricking themselves with needles when curled up into a ball. Paws with sharp claws; the hind ones are slightly longer than the front ones. Each paw has 5 toes.

Hedgehogs have an elongated, movable muzzle, round black eyes and small round ears. The fur on the face varies from yellowish-white to dark brown. The sharp nose of hedgehogs, like the nose of dogs, is constantly wet.

Most of the animals' bodies are covered with needles up to three centimeters long. The needles serve the animals as good protection from most enemies: curled up into a prickly ball, the hedgehog becomes practically invulnerable to predators. There is a stripe on the middle part of the head that is not covered with quills or hair.

Hedgehog quills

Needles - " business card"hedgehogs, they cover the back and upper part of the sides of the animal. Adult hedgehogs have more than 5,000 spines. The needles are modified hair. On the sides of the animal you can see very thin needles and thick bristly hairs, demonstrating the development of one from the other.

Hedgehog needles are light and durable, each with many small air chambers separated from each other by thin plates. Closer to the base, the needles narrow to a thin flexible neck, and then expand again to a small ball sitting in the skin. Such a device ensures that any external load on the needles (for example, an impact from a fall) leads to bending of their thin moving part, and not to the insertion of the base of the needles into the body of the hedgehog. A small muscle is associated with the base of each needle, which brings it into a vertical position. Usually these muscles are relaxed and the needles are smoothed. When there is danger, the hedgehog does not immediately curl up into a ball; at first, it simply raises its needles and waits for the threat to pass. Raised needles with sharp tips stick out into different sides at different angles, crossing each other, which creates almost impregnable armor.

How does a hedgehog curl up into a ball?

Everyone knows the ability of hedgehogs to curl up into a prickly ball. But how do they do it? The thing is that under the skin they have powerful muscles, which are more developed on the sides than in the center of the back, forming a closed ring - the circular muscle. When the orbicularis muscle contracts, it acts like a string that tightens the opening of the bag. When the hedgehog begins to curl up, two small muscles first push the skin with the needle cover and the underlying circular muscle over the muzzle and sides, then the circular muscle contracts, the head and back are pressed against each other with force, and the needles tightly cover the unprotected areas of the body. This device is very effective for protection against foxes, dogs, raccoons, and birds of prey.

What do hedgehogs eat in the wild?

The common hedgehog is an omnivore. Its diet mainly consists of insects, earthworms, snails, slugs, frogs, and field mice. Sometimes it can eat an amphibian or reptile. In addition, hedgehogs do not mind snacking on plant foods: fruits, berries, acorns. If you're lucky, the hedgehog will happily feast on the eggs and chicks of small birds nesting on the ground.

Hedgehogs have poor eyesight. They rely primarily on their senses of smell and hearing to interact with the outside world. The big-eared hedgehog has particularly sensitive hearing: it perceives high-frequency sounds up to 45 kHz, while humans hear only up to 18-20 kHz. This feature helps hedgehogs find invertebrates underground.

Hedgehogs and snakes

Many have heard about amazing property hedgehogs - resistance to snake venom. However, this ability, unlike mongooses, is not absolute (hedgehogs are only partially resistant to poison) and varies among different individuals. The antihemorrhagic substance erinacin, a protein secreted by the muscles of the animal, protects against hedgehog venom. This substance prevents the hemorrhagic and proteolytic activity of the poison. Erinacin, coupled with a protective, spiny cover, allows hedgehogs to attack snakes and, if the fight is successful, eat them, but this does not happen often.

Hedgehog lifestyle

The hedgehog is a nocturnal animal. During the day, he sleeps in some kind of shelter or nest, which he makes in bushes, holes, piles of brushwood, under the roots of old trees, in abandoned holes and other secluded places, and at dusk he goes out hunting.

These prickly little animals are homebodies and loners by nature, but they settle close to each other, while trying not to intersect. Males are aggressive towards other males of their species and vigilantly guard their territory from the invasion of competitors.

As cold weather approaches, hedgehogs collect dry leaves and grass and drag them into their nest, trying to properly insulate it. In October, when frost sets in, ordinary hedgehogs close the entrance to the shelter and fall into deep torpor - hibernation. During the summer, the animal needs to gain a sufficient supply of fat (at least 0.5 kg), otherwise in winter it may die of hunger. During hibernation, all life processes slow down: the animal’s body temperature drops from 33.7 to 1.8 ° C, the pulse rate decreases from 180 beats per minute to 20-60, the hedgehog takes only one breath per minute. Hibernation usually lasts until April. When the air temperature reaches +15° C and stable warm weather sets in, the hedgehog leaves the nest.

Reproduction

Having regained strength after hibernation, the hedgehog goes in search of a “bride”.

Males often engage in fierce fights over females. Opponents push each other with their spiky shells, bite each other on the face and legs, but do not cause injury. After some time, the weaker opponent retreats, and the winner, with renewed energy, begins to court his chosen one, circling around her for hours, puffing and snorting. Such efforts cannot go unnoticed.

After mating, the animals scatter about their usual business. Shortly before giving birth (and the pregnancy lasts 49 days), the hedgehog begins to prepare a nest for the offspring. Usually between three and eight hedgehogs are born. They are born completely helpless, naked and blind. The skin of newborns is bright pink, and their body weight is only 12 grams. The needles of newborn hedgehogs are located under the skin, but already 6 hours after birth the first soft needles become visible. By the fifteenth day of life, the needle cover is completely formed. The female takes her parental responsibilities responsibly: in case of any danger, she takes her children with her mouth and carries them to a new shelter. Hedgehogs grow quickly. For a month they are fed with nutritious mother's milk, and by autumn their independent life begins. They reach sexual maturity at 10-12 months.

Conservation in nature

In the last two decades, the number of common hedgehogs has been noticeably declining. The main reason is the separation of their habitats as a result of human activity, which leads to the division of large populations into many small, not related friend with a friend. According to research, populations of hedgehogs living just 15 km from each other have different genetic compositions, indicating rare exchange between populations.

Another significant reason for the disappearance of hedgehogs is their high mortality rate on roads, where the defensive strategy, so effective against predators, dooms them to death under the wheels of cars.

The hedgehogs' habitat is constantly being destroyed by humans: the animals are killed by insect control drugs, solid fences, barriers, and chain-link meshes that impede their movement in gardens.

It’s worth thinking about: hedgehogs are one of the oldest animals on earth, they survived ice age, and the reduction in their numbers is an alarming sign for humanity.