Paraechinus micropus
(HEDGEHOG)
Phylum: Chordata
Sub-phylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Erinaceomorpha
• Hedgehog mainly lives in sandy desert areas but can be found in other environments.
• Hedgehog eats insects, toads, bird eggs, snakes and scorpions.
• Although, it doesn’t hibernate, it is still capable of slowing down its metabolism when food is scarce.
• The upper side of the body has spines to protect from predators. When threatened it rolls up into a pricky ball and also they dig burrow and use them to sleep in and to stay hidden from dangers.
• Its predators are foxes, mongoose and rock haunt owls. Predators have to be quick to catch before it curls up into its pricky ball form.
• They spread their own saliva or their spines and for after testing or smelling something that is unfamiliar to them; which is called ‘Self anointy’.