Hedgehog Facts for Kids 🦔

Hedgehogs are small, spiky animals that roll into a prickly ball when they feel scared. They snuffle around at night looking for bugs to eat. Let's roll into some fun hedgehog facts!

25 Hedgehog Facts for Kids

1. There are 17 kinds of hedgehogs.
2. Wild hedgehogs live in Europe, Asia and Africa, but not in the Americas.
3. A hedgehog has about 5,000 to 7,000 spines on its back.
4. Hedgehog spines are hollow hairs made of keratin, the same stuff as your fingernails.
5. Hedgehog spines aren't poisonous, and hedgehogs can't shoot them.
6. When scared, a hedgehog rolls into a tight, spiky ball.
7. Hedgehogs got their name because they like to live in hedges and make snorting, pig-like sounds.
8. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night.
9. Hedgehogs eat beetles, caterpillars, worms, slugs and other small creatures.
10. Gardeners like hedgehogs because they eat bugs that damage plants.
11. Hedgehogs have a great sense of smell and hearing, but not very good eyesight.
12. A hedgehog can walk a mile or more in one night looking for food.
13. Some hedgehogs hibernate in winter, sleeping in cozy nests of leaves.
14. Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets.
15. Hoglets are born with soft spines under their skin that pop out a few hours after birth.
16. A group of hedgehogs is called an array.
17. Hedgehogs sometimes lick strange smells and spread foamy spit on their spines. This is called self-anointing.
18. Hedgehogs can swim and climb.
19. Hedgehogs make snuffling, grunting and huffing sounds.
20. The African pygmy hedgehog is a popular kind of pet hedgehog.
21. Hedgehogs have been around for millions of years.
22. Hedgehogs shouldn't drink milk because it gives them tummy aches.
23. Leaving a small gap in a garden fence makes a 'hedgehog highway' so they can travel safely.
24. Hedgehogs are mostly loners and like to live on their own.
25. Some hedgehogs have spines that are white, brown or striped with both.

Questions kids ask about hedgehogs

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