by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on September 20, 2013. Ear Description and Hearing Hedgehogs have large ears and have an excellent sense of hearing, making them alert to their surroundings. Unfamiliar sounds or loud noises can cause hedgehogs to react by huffing and ducking their heads,...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on September 20, 2013. Hedgehogs are born blind and have small bead like eyes. Sight Hedgehogs have a poor sense of sight. This is probably due in part to their burrowing nature. Compared to humans, and even dogs and cats, hedgehogs have limited...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. Physical Gender Differences A male hedgehog is called a boar. His penis retracts within a penile sheath located in the middle of his abdomen. The external portion of the sheath most closely resembles a belly button. His testicles are...
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by Millermeade Farms | Jun 11, 2013 | Health, Monitoring Health, Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on November 8, 2022. Natural Longevity Hedgehogs typically live two to three years in the wild. The most common cause of death in the wild is due to predation rather than age. Various resources report a relatively wide range in the maximum life...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Health, Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. In the Wild European hedgehog species hibernate in the wild when the temperature becomes too cold. They spend the warmer months building fat reserves to sustain them through their periods of inactivity. In the wild, African hedgehog...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on September 20, 2013. Keen Sense of Smell Hedgehogs have a keen sense of smell that is very useful to them in search of food and detecting danger. Their nose is warm and moist and a curious hedgehog will have their snout in the air sniffing, in order to...
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by Millermeade Farms | Sep 2, 2013 | Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on February 9, 2014. The most unique and obvious physical characteristic of hedgehogs is their quills. The weight of the spines accounts for approximately 35% of the hedgehog’s weight. (Miller) Spines Versus Quills Most breeders and enthusiasts...
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by Millermeade Farms | Jul 19, 2013 | Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on November 18, 2021. Size The average hedgehog weighs approximately ½ to 1-¼ pounds and most are the size of a softball or slightly larger when they are rolled into a ball. Some adult hedgehogs have a slightly larger build and can weigh up to 2 pounds...
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by Millermeade Farms | Jul 23, 2013 | Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on February 9, 2014. Motion Detection Hedgehogs are very good at detecting motion around them, even when they are rolled into a ball or cannot see. Hedgehogs will often perceive movement as danger unless they are completely relaxed with their...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 26, 2013 | Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on September 20, 2013. Forehead Furrow or Reverse Mohawk There is a natural part on the forehead of the hedgehog where there are no spines. This natural bald spot is normal and is in no way related to the presence of mites or injury. A hedgehog can raise...
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by Millermeade Farms | Sep 2, 2013 | Health, Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on February 9, 2014. Hedgehogs go through an aging process similar to humans and other animals. Activity and Movement As hedgehogs age they become less active and are generally slower in what they do. Their gait may appear to be stiffer and as they age it...
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by Millermeade Farms | Jun 11, 2013 | Diet, Health, Monitoring Health, Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on October 30, 2022. The average hedgehog weighs approximately ½ to 1-¼ pounds, and most are the size of a softball or slightly larger when they are rolled into a ball. Some adult hedgehogs have a slightly larger build and can weigh up to 2 pounds (the...
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