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This article is about the spiny mammal. For other uses, see hedgehog (disambiguation).
A hedgehog is any of the small spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae and the order Insectivora. There are 15 species of hedgehog in four genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand. There are no hedgehogs native to the Americas or Australia. Hedgehogs have changed little over the last 15 million years. Like many of the first mammals they have adapted to a nocturnal, insectivorous way of life.

Physical description


Hedgehogs are easily distinguished 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, cannot easily be removed from the animal. However, spines normally come out when a hedgehog sheds baby spines and replaces them with adult spines around the first year. When under extreme stress or during sickness, a hedgehog will lose spines.

Hedgehogs are most closely related to gymnures and other insectivores, including moles, shrews, tenrecs, the extinct deinogalerix and solenodons.

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RT @rverzub: "2009: The Year of the Philanderer" from #RedEye #news #comedy #hny #hedgehogs http://bit.ly/6pao1w
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500 Hedgehog Central - African Pygmy hedgehog resource page with information on the care, breeding, housing, colors, and showing.
Meta Description: [ Hedgehog Central for hedgehog hobbyists and fanciers. Helpful information on care, keeping, colours, showing, the show standard, clubs, the IHA, rescues and more ]

Hedgehog World - A community for African Pygmy Hedgehog owners and breeders with news, articles, FAQs, breeder listings, and community forums.
Meta Description: [ Hedgehog World - A community of African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders. ]

Encyclopedia.com - A short description of the hedgehog.
Meta Description: [ HEDGEHOG [hedgehog] Old World insectivorous mammal of the family Erinaceidae, related to moles and shrews. The spiny hedgehogs are found in Africa and ]

Hedgehog News - Hedgehog care and general information.
Meta Description: [ Hedgehog News is a personal and business site devoted to the care, maintence and love of hedgehogs as pets. Get basic information, useful links and upcoming events here. ]

Hedgehog'N Around - Information on African Pygmy Hedgehogs, from what to feed to when to breed.
Meta Description: [ Welcome to HedgeHog'n Around, we are your complete hedgehog resource, featuring a shopping guide to hedgehog products and supplies, health care information, how-to help, basic care information, and more. ]

Hedgehogs - Information on the hedgehog including description, buying a pet hedgehog and caring for the animal. Breeder listings and general hedgehog links.
Meta Description: [ Resource of breeders, rescues, and associations, including a selection of Hedgehog pictures and informational links. ]

Hedgies - Complete online resource for pet hedgehog enthusiasts. Offering general information, health issues, rescue group listing, and hedgehog events.
Meta Description: [ Hedgies.com is your complete hedgehog resource, featuring a shopping guide to hedgehog products and supplies, health care information, how-to help, basic care information, and more. ]

How Do You Love a Bristly Brush? The Hedgehog - Care instructions and related links.
Meta Description: [ The African Pygmy Hedgehog is a nocturnal animal that originates from central Africa. The African pygmy hedgehog is not a relative of the porcupine - The African Pygmy Hedgehog - Exotic Pets is a personally written site at BellaOnline ]

Michigan Hedgehog Owners Group - Dedicated to providing Michigan hedgehog owners with information for local stores, vets, and online facilities to get help for the prickly pets.

The Canadian Hedgehog Association - Organization dedicated to helping people understand the care and attention hedgehogs need.

The Hedgehog Primer - A practical guide to the care of pet hedgehogs based on sound knowledge and experience.

Wikipedia hedgehog entry - A hedgehog is any of the small spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae and the order Insectivora.

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