How Many Years Can a Hedgehog Live? Understanding the Hedgehog's Lifespan in One Article
The hedgehog, also known as the hedgehog ball, hedgehog rat, melon-stealing badger, and spiny fur, among other names, is a heterothermic animal. Except for its belly, its whole body is covered in stiff spines, and it has a gentle temperament. The hybrid hedgehog, bred by crossing the common hedgehog with Africa's “four-toed hedgehog,” is often kept as a pet. Let's take a look below at how long a hedgehog's lifespan is!
How Long Is a Hedgehog's Lifespan?
The lifespan of a hedgehog is generally 4~7 years, with a maximum of about 10 years. According to records, there has been a hedgehog that lived to 16 years.
90% of young hedgehogs live less than a year?
Hedgehogs begin mating and reproducing in April each year, producing 1-2 litters per year, with 3 to 6 young per litter. In the spring after hibernation ends each year, hedgehogs look for a mate. Before the female hedgehog accepts courtship, the male hedgehog has to spend several hours around her, after which he has completed his mission.
After mating is complete, the female hedgehog begins looking for a safe and quiet place as a den for herself and the young hedgehogs about to be born 30 days later. The fur on the backs of newborn young is sparse and soft, and they have no vision during the first two weeks after birth, but within a few days it can gradually harden and become spines. After being fed on mother's milk for 4-8 weeks, the mother hedgehog teaches them how to forage.
Two months after birth, the mother hedgehog stops caring for the young hedgehogs, leaving them to live on their own. About 90% of young hedgehogs live less than a year.
The Hedgehog's Living Habits
1. Hedgehogs widely inhabit mountain forests, plains and grasslands, crop fields, cultivated land and wasteland, shrubland, and grassy areas. But they are most numerous in the shrubby grass of plains and hills. They make nests in low-lying areas or under fallen trees, tree roots, rock crevices, and at the foot of residential walls in valleys. The nest is lined with leaves, dry grass, moss, and other materials.
2. Hedgehogs are timid, afraid of light, and fond of quiet. During the day they sleep in their burrows, and sometimes they even snore. When night falls, they slowly move their bodies and come out to be active.
3. Hedgehogs can climb trees and also swim, and can cross small rivers to be active on the other side.
4. The hedgehog's vision is degenerate, but its sense of smell and hearing are very keen. This structure makes it suited to coming out at night to hunt for food.
5. The hedgehog is a large insectivorous animal. Its diet includes earthworms, insects, snails, frogs, small snakes, lizards, and mice. It also eats plant roots, stems, fruits, and so on, and is especially fond of eating cockroaches. It can also swallow tussock moths into its belly. It also has strong resistance to vipers and can swallow small snakes.