LOWDOWN ON PRICKLY CREATURES

Hedgehogs – or Erinaceus europaeus – are carnivorous mammals which eat caterpillars, beetles, earthworms, mice, frogs, snails and slugs. They typically live up to six years and grow up to 30cm in length. They have about 5,000 spines and each lasts about a year before it drops out and is replaced. Hedgehogs curl into a ball to protect themselves when alarmed. They are nocturnal, and earned their name because of their peculiar foraging habits emitting pig-like grunts as they root round in undergrowth for food.