MAMMAL MONDAY # 50

MAMMAL MONDAY #50

We hope you enjoyed Halloween Week last week, we have one last surprise up our sleeves (we don’t actually have sleeves) on Wednesday for you! Today though we are off to Europe to meet one of the most beloved and adorable native animals there. Grab a flashlight and let’s head out into an English garden to meet today’s animal.

MEET THE EUROPEAN HEDGEHOG!

   Range/Habitat: Europe/ gardens, forests, woodland

   Diet: Omnivore: worms, spiders, slugs

   Length/Weight: 26”/ 20 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• European Hedgehogs are a favorite resident of gardens of Europe.
• They are covered in pointy spines that help protect them.
• When threatened European Hedgehogs roll into balls, exposing only their spiny covered backs.
• European Hedgehogs are nocturnal.
• They are generally solitary.
• European hedgehogs hide under bushes and logs during the day.
• Some European hedgehogs hibernate during the winter.
• Baby hedgehogs (hoglets) are born with their spines just under the skin.

Hedgehogs are so iconic and adorable. There are so many people who love these spiny mammals. We know we do, just don’t try and pet one!