Hedgehog

Written and Illustrated by Shabanna

About the author

I like to play football but Ionly like to throw it andcatch it. I like to rollerskate. I like school, I liketo read and I like to spell. Ido not like tomatoes oronions. I like Mac &cheese, pizza, and grilledcheese. I’m choosing thisanimal because nobodyreally knows abouthedgehogs, nobody reallycares about hedgehogs sothat’s why I picked it.

Who am I

The Hedgehogspecies weight isaround 14 to 39oz. Their head tobody is 5 to 12inches, tail 1 to 2inches so theirsize is related to ateacup. Theircolor ranges fromwhite to darkbrown.

The Early Years

These solitary animalstypically couple only formating. The young is borneach year, in litters rangingfrom one to eleven, theyremain with their motherfor only four to sevenweeks before heading out.Different hedgehog speciesbreed at different times ofthe year, but most mate inthe spring, and produce 4-6 off spring. The are bornnaked with ears and eyesclosed. Spines are presentat birth, but lie under skinand sprout in 36 days andteeth in 21 days, and eyesopen in 14 days.

Habitat Sweet Habitat

Their habitat iswooded orcultivated land,including gardens,where they enjoya closerelationship withmen, tropicalrainforests, anddeserts.

What’s On the menu

The hedgehogspecies eatinsects, worms,centipedes,snails, mice,frogs, snakes,and hedgehogpet food.

Making Tracks

Some specieswill swim andclimb, but moststay on theground withthe exceptionof the fourtoed, have fivetoes on eachfoot.

Simply Irresistible

The Hedgehogspecies sleeps insmall burrows or nestof grass and tangledleaves under shrubs,rock, or hollow logsduring the day andcomes out at night toeat insects. Also thegestation periodvaries between 30-45

days.

Where in the world

Hedgehogslocated in Europe,Asia,and Africa,hedgehogshave also beenintroduced intonontraditionalranges such asNew Zealand.

Did you know

Hedgehog mothers have alsobeen known for eating theiryoung if there nest isdisturbed.Hedgehogs make pig likegrunts. The average adult hasabout 5000 spines.Occasionally a hedgehog willproduce foamy saliva whensimulated by strong tastes orsmells and rub all over theirbody.

Resource List

http://www.hawar-islands.com/blog/media/blogs/kuwait/Long-eared-Hedgehog.jpg picture slide 1

http://www.sugarglider63.com/scoot2.JPG picture slide 6 http://www.pets-wildlife.co.uk/images/hedgehog1.jpg picture slide 3 http://www.hedgies.com/images/Tenzing%20Day%2019%2002.jpg

picture slide 4 http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/petermcweeny/hedgehog.jpg

picture slide 5 http://www.cemagref.fr/Informations/Presse/infmedia/im59/photo_im59/traces_he

risson200.jpg picture slide 7 http://www.cssplay.co.uk/menu/slides/hedgehog.jpg picture slide 8

http://www.geoinformex.com/GXL_Home/images/europe.jpg slide 9 http://images.google.com/images?q=hedgehog&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-

8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&safe=active&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi picture slide 2