Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Western Hedgehog


Hedgehogs are mostly recognised for their spines(which are about 3cm long). These spines are actually just very hard hair!!! They have entered most cities around the world mainly in peoples gardens. The three hedgehog species barely overlap in distribution, with the Western Hedehog occupying western and nortern Europe. The underside of these hedgehogs varies in places; in the North are dark brown, pale cream in the South. They are quite noisy foragers and are largely nocturnal. This hedgehog does hibernate in nests of dry grass and leaves. Its habitat is usually in lowland grassland and open woods; found a lot in gardens where they perform valuable role in pest control.



Size: body 20-30cm; tail 1-4cm


Young: one or two litters of up to six; June-September


Diet: earthworms, slugs, beetles and other invertebrates; birds' eggs and nestlings; carrion, some plant material and fungi.


Status: common

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