Eight facts about hedgehogs, from their spines and hibernation habits to how they communicate and what you need to know before keeping one as a pet.
Hedgehogs are small animals characterized by their bodies covered in quills, a snub nose, rounded ears, and in general, a very adorable appearance. Their physical characteristics have probably made them popular as pets in recent years. However, they are wild in nature and therefore require special care that meets their needs and respects their natural behavior. If you are passionate about these animals and want to know everything about them, in this animal expert video, we will show you eight interesting facts about hedgehogs that you should know. Don't miss it. Although they may seem similar at first glance, There are currently 16 types of hedgehogs that live in Africa, Asia and Europe. The African Pikmy hedgehog and the long eared hedgehog are the most common species kept as pets. But they are not the only ones, as we also find the Ethiopian hedgehog, the Indian hedgehog, the Moorish hedgehog, the Oriental dark hedgehog, and the European hedgehog. An adult hedgehog usually has more than 5,000 quills. They are made of keratin and have an internal structure formed by blood vessels in different cavities that provide flexibility, elasticity and strength. The quills are not completely hollow nor completely filled. For this reason they are light structures, but not as much as feathers, for example, which are empty. They are used as a defense mechanism and during the youth of hedgehogs, they usually shed them. Hedgehogs have muscles in their back that allow them to hide their quills and in moments of calm, or take them out to defend themselves. When they detect a possible threat, they curl up and form a ball of spines. In this way, they hide and protect the weakest part of their body and leave the quills exposed to scare away their predators. Hedgehogs have excellent hearing and a very good sense of smell, but their vision is not as developed. For this reason, they orient themselves in their habitat and communicate mainly through sounds and smells. It is now known that hedgehogs use a wide range of sounds to communicate with each other, from grunts to loud squeaks. Many guardians are startled by the sound of their young secreting a foam that they then use to coat their quills. Although science has not yet been able to explain the exact purpose of this behavior, it is suspected that it may be a kind of habit that hedgehogs perform when they identify a new odor. This ritual is known as a groan, and when the hedgehog smells the new smell, it goes towards the source of the aroma and nibbles on it. It then begins to rub its quills together to cover them with the saliva secreted the excitement in their natural habitat Hedgehogs are solitary and only usually come together during the mating season. In addition, they are shy and crepuscular, so it is normal to see them sleeping during the day and being most active in the early hours of the morning or after sunset. Hedgehogs are sensitive animals that can also get sick when they do not receive adequate care. To preserve their optimal physical and mental health, it is common for them to suffer from colds normal, have diarrhea and vomit, be overweight, or be stressed. To prevent these problems, it is important to visit a veterinarian who is an expert in exotic animals regularly, as well as offer them a complete and balanced diet in addition to proper environmental enrichment. In some countries or jurisdictions, it is not allowed to breed hedgehogs as pets. In the states of Arizona and California, for example, hedgehogs are considered wild animals and their possession is illegal. In Spain, for example, it is completely forbidden to breed two species of hedgehogs that are protected in captivity, the common hedgehog and the Moorish hedgehog. Of course, you cannot collect a hedgehog in the wild with the aim of domesticating it. If you find one injured or sick, it is necessary to go to the veterinarian or to a wildlife recovery center. For all these reasons, remember to inform yourself before adopting, traveling, or moving with your hedgehog. Do you know any other interesting facts about earthworms that we haven't mentioned? Leave your comment and share it with us. And if you liked it, don't forget to like and subscribe. Until next time, experts.
