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The African Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
An African hedgehog would comfortably fit in your hands. It is only 6 to 9 inches long. Its back is covered with short "salt and pepper" spines. It has white fur on its belly. It only has a stub of a tail. Why do hedgehogs wear prickly spines?  The spines are protection. When a hedgehog is surprised, it curls into a tight ball about the size of a grapefruit. Its spines stick out in all directions. It curls up so tight that no part of its head, legs or soft belly shows. What would it be like if you had spines on your head instead of hair? If a hedgehog is frightened by a larger animal, it will hiss and spit. When a hedgehog is happy, it will purr like a cat. What do hedgehogs eat? On the grasslands of Africa, the hedgehog hunts at night for worms, beetles and snails. With excellent hearing and a sensitive nose, a hedgehog knows where food is hiding several inches underground. African hedgehogs can eat poisonous animals and not get sick. They will eat scorpions and small poisonous snakes. |
