What is the first thing you think of when the word hedgehog is mentioned? You guessed it, spines! A hedgehog is covered in 5,000-7,000 of them and they lose them in the same way that we lose our hair. Hedgehogs are about 23cm long with short ears and a long snout.
Contrary to popular wisdom, the hedgehog is not related to the porcupine.
Porcupines are rodents, whereas the hedgehog is a mammal and related to moles and shrews. They are mainly active at night, for which they are well adapted as their sense of smell is keen and their sensitive whiskers help them find their way in the dark.
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