Information
The
Hedgehog is a mammal and it can grow to the size of
six to nine inches long. The average lifespan of hedgehog
is ten years and it reaches sexual maturity between
the ages of 1 and 2. It's gestation period usually lasts
anywhere between 34 and 37 days. The hedgehog lives
in open country throughout Central Africa where it feeds
on a diet of mostly insects, crustaceans, eggs and carrion.
There are 11 species of hedgehog native to Africa, Asia,
and Europe, and they have been introduced to New Zealand.
Hedgehogs have a litter of one to seven babies which
are born with the spines just below the skin. Spines
start to appear within 24 hours of birth. The only natural
predators for hedgehogs are large owls and hawks with
well protected claws and feet. To protect it against
these types of enemies it has a very large muscle in
it's stomach to help it roll into a ball when attacked.
It's spines are it's natural defense much a like a porcupine.
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