Ordinary hedgehog: characteristic, where it lives, what eats, how it reproduces, is preparing for the winter when it wakes up after the winter, why do needles of the hedgehog serve? Types, breeds of hedgehogs: description, photo. How to contain a hedgehog at home, in the apartment: care, food, pros and cons of

Classification of hedgehogs and features of care for them.

Content

Hedgehog is a beloved hero of many kids, because it is this animal is often mentioned in various fairy tales, and is also portrayed in cartoons. Most often, this is a pretty, small animal with thorns, which behaves quite funny. But in fact, not everything is so simple. In this article we will tell you what types of hedgehogs are, and how they differ. Is it possible to contain a hedgehog at home.

Types, hedgehog breeds: description, photo

We are all used to the fact that the hedgehog looks like a small animal with a soft body, the upper part of which is covered with a low layer of gray, gray-black or brown needles. The animal has an elongated, small eyes, as well as small legs. But in fact, the species of hedgehogs are a huge number, here are some of them:

African hedgehogs
Eurasian hedgehogs
Eared hedgehogs
Steppe hedgehogs
Long -groomed hedgehogs

All these species differ from each other not only by the environment, but also by the appearance. Below the photographs are the types of hedgehogs. According to them, you can evaluate the appearance of mammals.

Long needle hedgehogs — Long -groomed hedgehogs

Ordinary hedgehog: characteristics

An ordinary hedgehog is a mammal that lives in Europe, Siberia, as well as China, Kazakhstan. It differs in small sizes, as well as brown, brown, gray or almost black color. The animal has four paws, each of which is five fingers with sharp claws. The muzzle is elongated, slightly wedge -shaped. Small ears. In addition, the average weight of the hedgehog is 700-800 g. It lives in a forest belt, often found near the settlements.

What size, how much does the hedgehog weigh, how many needles, teeth have a hedgehog, does the tail have, what sounds make, what is the structure of the hedgehog, are there any eyebrows?

The size of the animal is relatively small. Hedgehog weighs about a kilogram.

Hedgehog features:

As for the number of needles, there may be five to six thousand. In young animals, there are about 3 thousand. The colors of the thorns are uneven, it can vary from gray, white to brown. Closer to the end of the needle is pointed. The surface of the needles is smooth and even, the most interesting thing that inside they are empty, filled with air.
In addition, a hedgehog has the so -called hairline above the eyes that protects them from dust and leaves. Therefore, we can say that the hedgehog has eyebrows. Jaws have a very interesting structure. There are 20 teeth on the upper jaw, they are small in size, there are incisors on the sides. And below 16 teeth. Regarding the needles, closer to the head and bottom, their size decreases from 3 to 2 centimeters.
There is a small tail, the length of which is approximately 3 cm. The abdomen, the head is covered with a hair of brown or red color. It protects animals from the cold. Hedgehog usually makes interesting sounds: hissing and rustling. When he eats, he is very interestingly champing and smacks.

Why are the needles a hedgehog?

Everyone knows that the upper part of the animal is covered with needles. But not everyone knows why they are needed.

The purpose of the needles:

Mostly for protection. The fact is that as soon as a small animal feels in danger, it turns into a glomerulus puts its needles. They serve as a shell to protect against enemies. Thus, a fox, a wolf and other larger animals, cannot eat a hedgehog.
Hedgehogs night animals, it is at night that they walk through the forest and collect food. In addition, needles serve in order to prick leaves in order to warm the holes for the winter.
Although many believe that the leaves fall on the needles quite by accident, during movement. Therefore, the hedgehog is forced to drag them into the nest.

Where is the ordinary hedgehog, on which mainland?

The habitat of hedgehogs is quite extensive. They are found in the Balkan Islands, in Africa and Asia, in Russia, as well as in Siberia. They can also be found in deserts. It all depends on the type and its fitness to the specific weather conditions of this mainland.

How do hedgehogs live, what is their family?

How the Hedgehog lives:

They do not start families and do not go with the cubs. Mother feeds the cubs in the nest for several weeks, after which they become independent and diverge. Basically, the hedgehog is chosen for hunting at night.
They live in actually dug burns. Often crawl into the minks of rodents that were abandoned.
There are such hedgehogs that live in rocky regions. There they do not dig their holes, hide in the gorges between the rocks or live under the stones.

Hedgehog - beast, mammal, predator, omnivorous animal or not, to which detachment does it belong?

Hedgehogs belong to the detachment Insectivorous And the family Yezhov. The fact is that really hedgehogs prefer different fruits, leaves and fell, insects. This is precisely their benefit. Because during the night a medium -sized hedgehog can eat 200 g of insects.

Are mammals. Actual after birth, the mother feeds her hedgeing with milk. But there are those who live near the cities, so they eat anything. It can be the remains of some animal food, meat, rotten fruits, trims. If you choose, they prefer just insects, as well as small rodents, mice. Are predators.

What is the hedgehog in nature?

If the hedgehog lives in the forest, then the basis of its diet is insects. These are worms and shrews, a variety of beetles. In addition, hedgehogs can eat small mice and various small rodents. Sometimes they feed on carrion and remnants after a fox or a larger animal, some kind of predator has lunch. They can enjoy mushrooms, as well as berries and fruits.

Mushrooms that eat a hedgehog: names, list

In the forest, hedgehogs rarely eat mushrooms. They prefer just insect and small chicks, lizards, as well as mice. But it was still found that hedgehogs can eat the mushroom is hedgehog, white mushrooms, as well as chanterelles.

When does the hedgehog sleep and hunt?

Hedgehogs sleep in the daytime. Indeed, this is a night animal that is chosen for hunting in the dark. This is due to the fact that they do not like when they walk a lot of animals through the forest and prefer silence. They hunt at night, and sleep in the daytime, burrowing in their holes.

Dwelling, nest, haltering mink: description, photo

Features of the hole:

An ordinary hedgehog to himself pulls out a mink, the length of which can be up to one meter. But sometimes animals occupy the dwellings of other rodents, such as mice, moles.
It resembles this nest housing, because inside there is a lot of straw, dry leaves that help the hedgehog to warm up.
It is worth noting that if a hedgehog lives in the forest, then it does not necessarily be in the hole all day. Often he chosen to soak in the rays of the summer sun

How do hedgehogs propagate?

Regarding the mating, propagation of hedgehogs, there are a lot of legends and funny stories. But in fact, nature has foreseen everything and there is nothing wrong.

Features of mating:

During mating, the muscles that are in the upper body relax, needles descend.
Thus, a hedgehog can freely mate with a hedgehog. At the same time, in the process, a hedgehog can bite a partner.
The most interesting thing is that mating begins in the spring, immediately after waking up, and winter hibernation.
Hedgehogs leave after hibernation, and proceed to marriage games. They can continue to mate all summer. There may be competition between the hedgehogs, that is, several hedgehogs are fighting for one female. The winner receives a partner.

Does the hedgehog make reserves for the winter, what does he do in the fall?

Many of us from children's cartoons know that hedgehogs collect apples and mushrooms on their thorns, drag them into the mink, making winter reserves. This is actually a huge myth. He does not drag anything in his hole, except for dry leaves and straw, for insulation of the nest. The fact is that the hedgehogs eat almost all the food in the summer, accumulating subcutaneous fat. It is the main source of nutrients in the winter, when the hedgehog falls into hibernation. In winter, the hedgehogs do not wake up and do not eat anything. They live due to subcutaneous fat.

When does a hedgehog fall into winter hibernation?

Features of sleep:

The hedgehog falls asleep in November or in December. Before that, he arranges a large hole in which he rams up to about half a meter of straw.
Bends into it when frost. Charges the entrance to the hole and falls asleep.
Initially, the hedgehogs sleep quite sensitively, only when severe frosts, they finally fall asleep tightly. At this time, their metabolism slows down.

When do hedgehogs wake up after winter?

Hedgehogs wake up around March or in April. It all depends on the amount of subcutaneous fat, because if it is very small, the hedgehog will be forced to wake up to look for food. That is why in April, a hedgehog can be seen quite often in the daytime. Because there is little food and he is forced to hunt not only at night, but also during the day.

Who eats hedgehogs in nature?

In the conditions of the forest, a hedgehog awaits a lot of dangers, because many predators do not mind enjoying the hedgehog. Basically, foxes, wolves, as well as owls or larger birds are hunting for a hedgehog. Several times it was noted that the foxes, in order to cope with the thorns of the hedgehog, roll the animal to the pond and dump him there. Under the influence of water, the hedgehog unfolds and the fox can eat it.

I want to have a hedgehog in the apartment: pros and cons of

Hedgehog is a cheerful and comic animal that will not leave anyone indifferent. The fact is that these mammals very quickly get used to people and treat them well. But it is worth remembering that a hedgehog is a night animal. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that almost all night someone will swarm in a cage, aquarium or in the hole that you will arrange for him.

Features of the hedgehog content:

The main disadvantage of the hedgehog is the smell, because experts recommend cleaning in its cage about once or twice a week. More often this should not be done, because the hedgehog will experience stress.
If you are not satisfied with the noise at night, that the animal runs in the cage, you can change the mode. Feed it exclusively during the day, then at night he will sleep with the whole family.
It is also worth noting that if the hedgehog is frightened, tense, then do not play with him, he can bite. In general, the hedgehog is quite a friendly animal, which does not mind indulging and running around the apartment.
You can sometimes release it for a walk: to fence off part of the room. Keep in mind that hedgehogs have long claws that can scratch a laminate or parquet.

What does a hedgehog look like?

A small hedgehog resembles an ordinary rat. The most interesting thing is that the hedgehog is a lively animal. But do not think that the hedgehog is born immediately with thorns. In fact, he is born very similar to a hamster and a mouse. Within a few hours after birth, it is covered with thorns.

How to distinguish a hedgehog from a hedgehog?

You can determine the floor of the hedgehog quite simple. It’s just that you can’t pick up the animal, as a cat or puppy, and turn it over. Because the needles are protected. Therefore, the floor can be determined while eating the animal.

Instructions:

You need to pour food, and at the time when the hedgehog will eat, carefully draw a finger along his stomach.
If you came across a hillock, this is a male. You stumbled upon its genital organ.
If, in addition to fur and fluff, you find nothing, in front of you is a female.

How to contain a hedgehog at home, in the apartment: Care

Features of care:

Caring is quite simple. It is necessary to equip a cage, as well as put a house inside.
At the bottom, you can pour a little cat filler to the bottom, preferably like peas, and a layer of straw on top of it.
It is also necessary to install a drinker in a cage. They can be such as in birds and attach to the gratings. Or special drinkers for kittens.
You should not put an ordinary saucer, because hedgehogs can stomp and turn over it. Then all the time in the cage will be wet.
Some teach hedgehogs to go to the tray. This can also be done. In this case, you can less often clean up in the Hedgehog's house. Because there will be no strong smell.

Is it necessary to put the house a hedgehog in a cage?

An ideal option will be the equipment of something like minks that are observed in natural conditions. To do this, you can purchase a special house or build it with your own hands. The video below tells how to make a house for a hedgehog.

Video: DIY Hedgehog House

How to feed a hedgehog at home, is it possible to feed milk?

To be honest, the food for hedgehogs is not for the faint of heart. If you start such a pet, be ready to walk with a shovel to the nearest pond, collect frogs and snails after rain, as well as dig rainworms. Because hedgehogs adore different insects and can eat 200 g per day.

L akomatism for a hedgehog:

Many hedgehog breeders recommend collecting insects into an ordinary glass jar, screw it with a lid, bake in the oven.
After that, the whole mass is laid out on the newspaper and dried on the balcony. Next, everything needs to be poured into a container with a screw cover.
This is all necessary so that insects do not run away during their eating.
They will also become necessary in late autumn, when there are no longer any insects and you will not be able to feed your pet with bucks.

You can feed the hedgehogs with raw meat, except pork. It can be beef, veal, rabbit. They are interrupted by minced meat or cut into very small pieces.

Hedgehogs feed on vegetables, they give preference to raw carrots. It must first be grated. Sometimes you can give grated apples, raw potatoes. It is given, having previously boiled it. Potato balls roll from mashed potatoes. Sometimes they cook porridge on water without salt, sugar and milk. But basically, a large fraction of the diet should consist of meat and insects. Because in nature, hedgehogs are predators.

Adult animals do not need to give milk, in their stomach there are no enzymes that process lactose. There may be indigestion, bloating, also diarrhea. Refrain from feeding a hedgehog with milk.

Is it possible and how to wash the prickly hedgehog at home?

It is not worth bathing hedgehogs often, this is mainly done in order to remove the unpleasant odor and parasites. Therefore, it is best to put in a cage with a hedgehog a sand capacity. That is how they are cleaned in natural conditions - with the help of sand. The ideal option would be bathing once a week. Indeed, hedgehogs smell badly, but with frequent bathing you will not improve the situation.

Does the hedgehog be rabies, what are its signs?

Hedgehogs are considered a natural rabies tank, because they, unlike many animals, tolerate well and can even transmit to the offspring of the ailment. There are several signs by which you can suspect that the animal was sick.

Signs of rabies:

Hedgehog walks in the daytime and is not afraid of people
In case of any attempts to approach the hedgehog or touch him, pounces on a person or jumps around him.
The animal can bite and climb.

Therefore, if you noticed a hedgehog in the daytime, go sideways. Healthy animals try to avoid people and hide from them.

Many people who breed hedgehogs do not recommend taking the animal from the street or from the forest. In no case can not be done. The animal can be sick and rabies carrier. If you want to have a hedgehog, it is best to purchase with a passport in the store.

Interesting facts about hedgehogs: Description

There are many interesting facts about hedgehogs:

Until 2006, many hedgehogs died in many countries of the world that they crawled into plastic glasses from Mac Flury, which were sold in McDonald's. Animals could put their heads there, but they could not extract it, so they died of hunger. In 2006, Mac Flury's neck was reduced so that the hedgehog muzzle would not fly into it.
Frying hedgehogs are a traditional dish in gypsies.
The approximate length of the tail is 3 cm. The hedgehog is 36 teeth. And as in adults, closer to old age, they fall out.
In winter, the hedgehog burns in the hole, and its temperature drops to 2 degrees of heat. Although in the summer it is 34 degrees. Instead of 50 breaths per minute, during winter hibernation, it makes only 6-10.
Hedgehog has immunity to some poisonous substances. The poison of vipers does not affect them, they cannot be poisoned with cyanide potassium and arsenic. They do not die from these reagents. The hedgehog can eat a viper, despite the fact that he does not directly hunt for her. If she attacks him, he will eat her.
Some hedgehogs in sanitary and epidemios are used to detect foci of encephalitis. For this, laboratory hedgehogs are allowed to take a walk through the forest for 1 hour, and then the number of ticks collected is calculated. If there are more than a certain amount, then this area is considered dangerous.

Hedgehog is a very interesting, unusual, funny animal that children will like. In no case should you choose a hedgehog from the street, bring him home. A large number of these animals can be infected with rabies. If you want to have a hedgehog, buy it in a special store.