Here are the fun facts about hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are described as spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae, in the eulipotyphlan family Erinaceidae and there are seventeen known species in five genera found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in New Zealand.
Based on the article in Mental Floss, this animal is probably the internet’s most favorite animal. Aside from being a cute animal, here are the things you need to know about it.
A hedgehog may have between 5000 and 7000 quills that can be raised or lowered due to muscles along the animal’s back, and in response to threatening situations.
Although many people make them as pets, in some areas in the US, you need to secure a permit before owning one. In California; Georgia; Hawaii; New York City; Omaha, Nebraska; and Washington, D.C. In some areas, like New Jersey, you need to get a permit in order to own one.
This animal has very poor eyesight so it only depends on its hearing and smell. As a nocturnal creature, their eyesight works best during the night.
The “hedgehog” name came from their habitat, because they love to be in garden hedges, and they make a sound that is pig-like grunts. They can hibernate but not all of them.
Most of them are immune to snake venom. Their quills are their defense. It can roll itself up into a tight little ball so that none of its soft parts are left exposed. It is nearly impossible for a snake to bite it when it is in a defensive state.
Hedgehogs are lactose-intolerant. Just like other mammals, they are hypolactasic. It means that they don’t have the lactase enzyme necessary to metabolize the sugar in milk. They also have their self-anointing, It is when they are exposed to pungent smell or taste. The animal would typically lick and chew on things with these pungent smells, then cover their spines with a frothy saliva mixture.