Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are small, spiny mammals native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, with some populations introduced to places like New Zealand and the UK.

They’re nocturnal creatures, meaning they’re most active at night, and typically live in gardens, woodlands, grasslands, and scrubby areas where they can find shelter and food.

Despite their prickly appearance, hedgehogs are generally gentle and solitary animals—they prefer to live alone except during breeding season.

Their diet consists mainly of insects, worms, snails, and other small invertebrates, making them beneficial gardeners who help control pest populations.

When threatened, hedgehogs curl into a tight ball, exposing their sharp spines as a defence mechanism, which can sometimes give people the wrong impression about their temperament.

They’re surprisingly good swimmers and climbers despite their round shape, and typically grow to about 6-10 inches in length.

Most hedgehogs live around 3-5 years in the wild, though they can reach up to 8 years in captivity.

Their distinctive squeaking and grunting sounds, combined with their curious nature, make them fascinating creatures for those lucky enough to encounter them in the wild.