Classification
Hedgehog
Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Mammalia
Ordo : Eulipotyphla
Family : Erinaceidae
Subfamily : Erinaceinae
Genera : Atelerix, Erinaceus, Hemiechinus, Mesechinus, Paraechinus
A hedgehog is any of the spiny mammals of the subfamily
Erinaceinae, in the eulipotyphlan family Erinaceidae. There are seventeen
species of hedgehog in five genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, and
Africa, and in New Zealand by introduction. There are no hedgehogs native to
Australia, and no living species native to the Americas (the extinct genus
Amphechinus was once present in North America). The name hedgehog came into use around the year 1450,
derived from the Middle English heyghoge, from heyg, hegge ("hedge"),
because it frequents hedgerows, and hoge, hogge ("hog"), from its
piglike snout. Other names include urchin, hedgepig and furze-pig. The
collective noun for a group of hedgehogs is array.
Physical Description
The length of Hedgehog can reach 135 to 165 milimeters. The mass range is about 20 to 40 kg. Hedgehogs are easily recognized by their spines, which are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin. Their spines are not poisonous or barbed and unlike the quills of a porcupine, do not easily detach from their bodies. However, the immature animal's spines normally fall out as they are replaced with adult spines. This is called "quilling". Spines can also shed when the animal is diseased or under extreme stress.
A defense that all species of hedgehogs possess is the ability to roll into a tight ball, causing all of the spines to point outwards. The hedgehog's back contains two large muscles that control the position of the quills.
Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal, though some species can also be active during the day. Hedgehogs sleep for a large portion of the day under bushes, grasses, rocks, or most commonly in dens dug in the ground, with varying habits among the species.
Hedgehogs occasionally perform a ritual called anointing.
When the animal encounters a new scent, it will lick and bite the source, then
form a scented froth in its mouth and paste it on its spines with its tongue.
They feed on insects, snails, frogs and toads, snakes, bird
eggs, carrion, mushrooms, grass roots, berries, melons and watermelons.
Hedgehog can find in temperate fields,
especially field edges and hedgerows.It's only found in Europe. They prefer drier areas that are not
thickly wooded and are occasionally found in scrub and sand dunes. European
hedgehogs are commensal and are often found in home gardens, cemeteries, parks,
agroecosystems, and other areas that provide appropriate places for
hibernation. In the wild, European hedgehogs can live up to six years. In
captivity, they can live as many as ten years.
The European hedgehog is found in temperate fields, especially field edges and hedgerows. They prefer drier areas that are not thickly wooded and are occasionally found in scrub and sand dunes. European hedgehogs are commensal and are often found in home gardens, cemeteries, parks, agroecosystems, and other areas that provide appropriate places for hibernation.
Reproduction
Hedgehog begin the mating process when a male
encounters a female, at which time the male encircles the female while she
lowers her head and makes a variety snorts, grunts, and hisses. If the male is
successful in courting the female, he attempts to mount her several times.
After numerous copulations, the male leaves the female, and does not provide
any parental care to his offspring. He continues to roam alone and attempts to
mate with other females until he begins preparing for hibernation.
Diseases
Hedgehogs suffer many diseases common to humans.[19] These
include cancer, fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease.Cancer is very common in hedgehogs. The most common is
squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell spreads quickly from the bone to the
organs in hedgehogs, unlike in humans. Surgery to remove the tumors is rare
because it would result in removing too much bone structure.Fatty liver disease is believed by many to be caused by bad
diet. Hedgehogs will eagerly eat foods that are high in fat and sugar. Having a
metabolism adapted for low-fat, protein-rich insects, this leads to common
problems of obesity. Fatty liver disease is one sign, heart disease is another.
That's all about hedgehog, i hope your education about hedgehog increase after reading this post. Thank you.
Questions
1. What is the class of Hedgehog?
2. What is the uniqueness of Hedgehog?
3. The term Hedgehog come from?
4. Where does Hedgehog live?
5. What does hedgehog eat?
http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Erinaceus_europaeus/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedgehog#Physical_description
https://www.sumber.com/edukasi/pengetahuan-umum/sumber/hewan-landak.html
