5. Hedgehogs in the Wild
• Found in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and
New Zealand.
• Used as pest control (eat up to 200 grams
of insects/night).
• Introduced to New Zealand; can be pests
because destroy insects and bird species.
6. Hedgehogs in the Wild
• Live in the
abandoned burrows
of other animals.
• They are solitary
animals
– May fight
– Males and females
together during
breeding; then go
separate ways.
7. Hedgehogs in the Wild
• Predators – birds of prey, wild dogs
– Defense mechanism role itself into a ball
and spines will stick up
– Number one threat is the automobile!
9. Characteristics
• Typical mammalian skeletal structure
– Much longer hind-legs than fore-legs
• Average lifespan is 4-7 years old
• Do not give off much odor
• Very disease resistant
• Gentle and quiet