Michigan City Parks & Recreation Department

Scientific name:  Erinaceus Sp.

Size/weight/height
Weight: 8 - 24 oz.
Head & Body: 6.5 - 9"
Tail: 0.52"

Behavior
Nocturnal
Defense: escapes enemies by running and hiding in rock crevices & under logs • rolls into ball to use spines as protection
Personality: gregarious • solitary
Vocalization: squeal & grunt when hungry, excited or afraid

Reproduction/lifespan
Lifespan: known to live as long as 7 yrs in wild & captivity
Litters: usually 4 - 5
Young: born with soft, short spines which lengthen & harden shortly after birth

Diet
Insectivore
Wild : carrion, eggs, frogs, fruit, fungi, lizards, mice, snakes and vegetables
Zoo : Hedgehog Maintenance Chow, supplemented by occasional fruits.

Habitat/range: Forest, grassland, scrub areas with adequate food & cover • several species in Europe, Africa & Asia

Other
Hedgehogs are not related to hogs.

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