Literally everyone knows what a hedgehog looks like, and from childhood. This small thorny animal can often be found on the pages of children's books. However, in life, meeting with him is not uncommon. The hedgehog is a brave and adaptable animal. He is not at all afraid of a person and successfully gets along with him, deriving considerable benefit for himself. People, in turn, are not at all against the appearance of thorny animals in their gardens, orchards or dachas. Nevertheless, the hedgehog, like any other wild animal, also has enemies. What and whom are hedgehogs afraid of?
Where do hedgehogs live and what do they eat?
In total, 23 species of hedgehogs live in the world. The hedgehog is widespread throughout the globe, except for South America, Australia, Madagascar and Antarctica. On the territory of Russia, he lives almost everywhere.
Hedgehogs settle under the roots of trees, in abandoned holes of rodents, in thickets of thorny bushes, under snags, in heaps of brushwood. They lead a solitary lifestyle, have and protect their individual feeding areas. On the territory of the site, hedgehogs build several nests, which are lined inside with leaves, dry grass, and moss.
During the day, hedgehogs sleep in a shelter, curled up in a ball, at dusk and hunt at night. Omnivorous. They feed mainly on insect larvae, beetles, slugs, earthworms, sometimes they attack amphibians, reptiles and reptiles, eat the eggs of birds nesting on the ground. For eggs, hedgehogs sometimes even climb into the chicken coop. However, this rarely happens. They eat animals and plant foods - mushrooms, berries, fruits, acorns, roots. However, contrary to the opinion formed under the influence of folk tales, they do not carry fruits and mushrooms on pins and needles.
For the period of winter cold (from late September - early October to April, when the temperature exceeds + 15 ° C), hedgehogs hibernate. At this time, their heart rate and respiratory activity are significantly reduced. Nevertheless, if the animal has not managed to accumulate sufficient fat reserves in the summer, it will starve to death during hibernation. In especially unfavorable years during the period of hibernation, up to 40% of adult animals and up to 85% of young animals die. In nature, the life expectancy of hedgehogs is from 2 to 7 years, in captivity - up to 15.
Animal lovers willingly keep hedgehogs at home, because it's not difficult. In captivity, they willingly eat meat, bread, eggs, milk, oatmeal and even cat food. However, milk is harmful to the health of animals, since they are naturally lactose intolerant, and cat food contains too much fat and little protein. And hedgehogs are very fond of ice cream.
Enemies of thorny beasts
Hedgehogs have an excellent defense mechanism. In case of danger, the animal curls up into a ball and puts out its sharp thorns. Nevertheless, some predators have learned to cope with hedgehog defenses. Foxes, wolves, ferrets, badgers hunt hedgehogs. The animals swim well, but at the same time they do not like water too much. It is said that some predators push a coiled hedgehog into the water, and when it turns to swim, they grab it.
And large birds of prey, such as owls and eagle owls, are not afraid of needles at all. They hunt at night, at the same time as hedgehogs. Owls and eagle owls have long toes and claws and tough skin on their feet. So birds of prey are very dangerous for hedgehogs.
And forest animals also suffer from human activities. More and more roads are being laid, and the number of vehicles is increasing. Hedgehogs are not at all afraid of cars, but they are afraid to walk on asphalt. And everything would be fine, but brave forest animals sometimes dare to run across the road. And it does not always end well for the hedgehog.
