Interesting Hedgehog Facts for Kids

Hedgehogs are spiky mammals that live across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Asia. They dig burrows, roll into a tight ball to protect themselves against predators, and make pig-like grunts. Learn all you need to know about hedgehogs with these interesting hedgehog facts for kids.

Hedgehogs are mammals

Mammals are warm-blooded animals, have hair, are born not hatched from eggs, and drink milk from their mothers. Hedgehogs are mammals. There are 17 species of hedgehogs.

They are:

African Pygmy Hedgehog
Algerian Hedgehogs
Amu Hedgehogs
Bare-Bellied Hedgehog
Brandt’s Hedgehog
Daurian Hedgehogs
Desert Hedgehogs
Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog
European Hedgehogs
Gaoligong Forest Hedgehog
Hugh’s Hedgehog
Indian Hedgehog
Indian Long-Eared Hedgehog
Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog
Southern African Hedgehog
Southern White-breasted Hedgehog
Somali Hedgehog

Hedgehogs used to be called urchins. Sea urchins were named after the hedgehog. Their names were changed to hedgehogs because they like to be in garden hedges and sound like hogs.

Variety of colors

Hedgehogs come in many different shades. Hedgehogs can be many shades of brown, black, or even white.

Size

There are 17 species of hedgehogs. All species are between 4 and 12 inches long and weigh between 1 and 3 pounds.

They are spikey

Hedgehogs have between 5,000-7,000 spikes that cover their bodies called quills. They can move their quills up and down. Hedgehog quills act as protection against predators. When a hedgehog feels threatened, it will roll into a ball, and its quills protect them against natural predators.

Porcupines also have quills. A porcupines quills and hedgehog quills are similar but also have many differences.

Porcupine quills are longer. They are 3 inches long, whereas hedgehog quills are only 1 inch.

Hedgehogs have fewer quills. Porcupines have up to 30,000 quills.

Hedgehogs use their quills for protection by rolling into a ball. Porcupines arch their back and hit a predator with their tail, so their quills stick to them.

Hedgehog in the grass

They are nocturnal

Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are active at night and sleeping during the day. Sometimes hedgehogs are active during the day, usually after it rains.

Wild Hedgehogs do not live in the United States

Hedgehogs do not live in the wild in the United States. They live in Africa, Asia, Europe, and New Zealand. Hedgehogs live in woodlands, grasslands, meadows, and gardens. They live in areas that have plenty of access to food.

They live in burrows

A burrow is a hole or underground tunnel built by an animal. Hedgehogs live in either a burrow they dug or a nest. Nests are made from leaves, and branches can also be made out of other types of things they find in nature.

Diet

Wild hedgehogs are meat-eaters. They eat insects, including caterpillars, earwigs, earthworms, beetles, millipedes, and fly larvae. Hedgehogs eat what’s available; other food choices include frogs, small rodents, or baby birds. They will also eat fruit and other foods from gardens.

Domesticated hedgehogs eat apples, bananas, and berries, they also eat some vegetables. People mainly buy hedgehog food from pet stores.

Hedgehogs cannot see well, but they have excellent hearing and sense of smell.

Baby Hedgehogs

A baby hedgehog is called a hoglet. A mother hedgehog gives birth to a litter of 4-5 hoglets. Babies stay with their mothers for six weeks.

Hedgehogs are born weighing less than one ounce. They are born blind. Their eyes open when they are 2-3 weeks old.

Baby hedgehogs are born with their quills under the skin. Shortly after birth, they poke through the skin.

Pet Hedgehogs

There are three species of hedgehog sold as pets. The most popular species is the African pygmy. The African pygmy hedgehog is around 8 inches long and comes in various colors. The average lifespan of a pet hedgehog is 6-8 years. One of the main problems that domesticated hedgehogs face is obesity. Like humans, hedgehogs need exercise. If they can become overweight, it will shorten their lifespan.

Predators

Predators include badgers, birds of prey, snakes, wolves, foxes, and ferrets. When they face enemies, they will roll into a little ball, and their prickly spines protect them.