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Hedgehog Explorer

Learn all about hedgehogs — then test what you know!

✨ Amazing hedgehog facts

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A hedgehog has between 5,000 and 7,000 spines (also called quills).
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They cannot shoot their spines like a porcupine can — that's a myth!
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Their spines keep them safe. When scared, a hedgehog curls into a spiky ball.
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Hedgehogs are nocturnal — active at night and asleep during the day.
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Hedgehogs are mammals: they give birth to live young and feed them milk.

Meet the species

There are 17 species of hedgehog around the world. Here are three:

🍂 European hedgehog
  • The only hedgehog native to the UK.
  • Hibernates over winter (often October to March).
  • A protected species — sadly their numbers are declining.
🏜️ Indian long-eared hedgehog
  • Lives in the desert.
  • Has very large ears to hear insects underground and to cool down in hot weather.
  • When threatened it usually runs away rather than curling into a ball.
🤍 African Pygmy hedgehog
  • Also called the four-toed hedgehog.
  • Can be kept as a pet.
  • Weighs about 300–600 grams.

️ What should a pet hedgehog eat?

Hedgehogs need healthy food to stay strong and active.

Their main food

High-quality dry cat biscuits — high in protein (helps muscles grow) and low in fat (keeps them healthy). About 1–3 tablespoons a day.

Insects for fibre

Mealworms, locusts, crickets and dubia roaches. 🐛

Good habits

  • Scatter feed the biscuits for enrichment (it makes hunting fun).
  • Provide fresh water every day.
  • Occasional treats: plain scrambled egg, wet cat food or plain chicken.
  • Avoid anything labelled "hedgehog mix".
🧠 Remember: protein → strong muscles, water → hydration, insects → fibre & energy.

Body parts and their jobs

Tap a body part, then tap its job. Match all five!

Life cycle & babies

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A baby hedgehog is called a hoglet.
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The gestation period is 34–37 days — that's how long the baby develops inside its mother before being born.
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Hoglets are born blind and deaf with only a few soft spines.
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They are altricial — born small and weak, needing lots of help from a parent to survive and grow.
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A litter can have 1 to 10 hoglets.
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Before giving birth, the mother builds a nest.
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As mammals, mothers nurse (feed milk to) their hoglets for 3–6 weeks.

Hedgehog quiz

You've learned it all — now show what you know!