Hedgehogs are very amusing small animals. These night "toptigina" cause affection both in children, and in adults. Probably, all know how they look – such prickly balls with short paws. But what they eat?
It is a little about life of hedgehogs
Hedgehogs live not only in forests, but also in steppes. The back of a hedgehog is covered six thousand needles long approximately on 3 cm everyone. Needles have a peculiar coloring – from above and at the basis they white color, and in the middle – brown or black.
The weight of a hedgehog does not exceed kilogram, but before hibernation it can "grow stout" approximately on half a kilo. Males, as a rule, are larger than females. Eyes of this small animal black and round, similar to buttons. The muzzle extended with a pointed nose. Teeth at a hedgehog thirty six.
Hedgehog prickles inside hollow. They smooth to the touch also remind hair. Also needles are mobile because each of them fastens to a muscle. "Armor" of a hedgehog is constantly updated, and in a year he changes approximately the third part of the prickly weapon. These lovely animals of the single on the nature. In the nature even couple of hedgehogs do not get on in one territory. In each of them the individual site on which the hedgehog suits several nests which are reliably hidden and to find them quite difficult. What sounds are made by these prickly animals? Probably, the most characteristic – stamping. Also hedgehogs snuffle and sniff. The male never lives with a female and cubs. Cubs at hedgehogs appear mainly during the summer period, once a year. Pregnancy lasts about 50 days. Newborn hedgehogs are usually absolutely defenseless, they are blind and naked. Primary needles appear at them already several hours later after the birth, dark prickles make the way on second day. Two-week hedgehoglets are already completely covered with needles.
Food of hedgehogs
The hedgehogs living at liberty eat, as a rule, high-calorie food with the high content of protein. Generally it is bugs, larvae, hearts and other insects. Hedgehogs seldom attack vertebrate animals, but sometimes can be supported, for example, with a small snake. Punishment happens quite simply – reptiles have just a bite a backbone. As for vegetable food, from it hedgehogs prefer mushrooms, fruit, berries and acorns. If the hedgehog lives in bondage, then his menu is much more various and more interesting. As a rule, he eats eggs, meat and bread. It is also possible to feed a hedgehog with a special forage or a forage for polecats. Experts do not advise to feed a domestic hedgehog with the sterns intended for cats and dogs because in them insufficient amount of proteins. By the way, it is impossible to feed with milk it too because hedgehogs do not transfer lactose. But they with pleasure can have a bite porridge or even ice cream. Still hedgehogs need to give boiled meat and vegetables. They will be very glad if the owner sometimes indulges them crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches and worms.