Hedgehogs

1. Hedgehogs Written by Mrs Gillespie 1

2. What do hedgehogs look like? A hedgehog has fur on its legs and tummy and thousands of spikes on its back and sides. The spikes protect the hedgehog from other animals who might try to eat him. When he becomes frightened he curls up in a ball. 2

3. How big are hedgehogs? There are lots of different size hedgehogs. Some are tiny, some are long and thin and some are large and heavy. Most of the hedgehogs we see by our school and homes will grow to around 25cm long. 3

4. Hedgehogs spend the day sleeping in hedgerows and long grass or under leaves and shrubs. Where do hedgehogs sleep? 4

5. Why do hedgehogs sleep in the day? Hedgehogs are nocturnal, they sleep in the day and are awake at night. Hedgehogs prefer to be awake at night because most of the creatures they eat are also nocturnal. 5

6. What do hedgehogs eat? Hedgehogs like to eat slugs, snails, caterpillars, beetles, earthworms, birds eggs and sometimes frogs. 6

7. Where do the hedgehogs go in winter? When the weather gets colder, hedgehogs find a nest where they can hibernate. They sleep from November until March. 7

8. Why do hedgehogs hibernate? Hedgehogs hibernate because there is very little food for them eat in winter. 8

9. What are hedgehogs good at? Hedgehogs are very good at climbing and swimming. 9

10. Lets find some ways to make a hedgehog! 10

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