How does the hedgehog spend the winter?

Hedgehogs have short thorns on their bodies, and even their short tails are buried in thorns. When attacked by the enemy, it bent its head to the abdomen, curled up in a ball, wrapped its head and limbs, and put up steel thorns all over its body. So, do you know how hedgehogs spend the winter?

How do hedgehogs spend the winter?

Hedgehogs hibernate in caves. When the temperature drops to 7 ℃, they go into hibernation for as long as 4-5 months.

What are the characteristics of hedgehogs?

1. Heterothermic animals

Hedgehogs hibernate in winter because they cannot stably regulate their body temperature to keep it at the same level. The hedgehog has hard spines all over its body except its stomach. when it is in danger, it will roll up into a prickly ball. Its shape and gentle character are very lovely, and some varieties are only slightly larger than the palm of the hand, so some people keep it as a pet in Australia.

2. Sensitive sense of touch and smell

The hedgehog has a very long nose and its sense of touch and smell is well developed. Its favorite food is ants and termites. When it smells food in the ground, it will dig out the hole with its claws and stick its long sticky tongue into the hole to get a big meal. Hedgehogs live in bushes, can swim and are afraid of heat. Hedgehogs begin to hibernate at the end of autumn and do not wake up until the following spring when the temperature is warm enough. Hedgehogs like to snore, similar to people.

3. Prey on pests

Hedgehogs are good animals for human beings because they prey on a large number of harmful insects. Hedgehogs also eat young birds, eggs, frogs, lizards, and occasionally crops.

4. Timid and withdrawn personality

Hedgehog is a very withdrawn animal, living in the bushes, timid, quiet and noisy, afraid of light, heat and cold. Hedgehog moves slowly and generally sleeps during the day and goes out at night. Hedgehogs pick holes as nests, hide in the nest during the day, and come out after dusk. Hedgehogs are generally resistant to many poisons, but not insecticides, and sometimes die from poisoning by accidentally eating insects killed by pesticides.

In general, hedgehogs will stay away from human activity areas, like to nest on the edge of the wilderness or the edge of streams, and will not attack people. Therefore, when you see hedgehogs, don't frighten and hurt them.