[ad_1]
Baby hedgehogs, also called hoglets or hedgehogs, are small mammals with spiky spines and hairy bellies. They are some of the most popular exotic pets in the world, and for good reason! These little creatures are amazing, complex animals.
Let’s find out five amazing facts about hoglets and see some seriously cute pictures!
#1: A baby hedgehog is called a hoglet
Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets. It should be noted that hedgehogs can also have less common names. For example, they are also called hedgehogs. However, this has not always been true. Before getting their official name in the 1990s, they were commonly referred to as puppies, kittens, piglets, and even hedgehogs! A group of baby hedgehogs is called a sting – how cute!
Fun fact: sea urchins get their name from baby urchins. Since the spines on a sea urchin closely resembling those of a hedgehog, they were conceived as the underwater version of the adorable baby hedgehog.
#2: Baby Hedgehogs cry, croak and cough!
Baby hedgehogs can sense danger just like humans. When they are afraid or feel that trouble is near, they call for their mother in distress.
The sound they make when they are in distress is similar to a baby’s cry. If they are extremely injured or in great danger, they can even let out a dizzying scream! To the untrained ear, these sounds can be mistaken for a human baby.
Crying isn’t the only sound hoglets make. In fact, they get the “pig” part of their name because they growl and sniff like a… pig. the small mammals also use many different sounds to communicate. For example, they croak when they need help, hiss when angry, and cough to show discomfort.
#3: Hoglets are nocturnal animals
Baby hedgehogs are nocturnal, meaning they spend most of their hours awake at night. During the day, these little creatures rest. They make their beds under shrubs and other foliage, which provide a safe place to hide. Hoglets also prefer cool, dry places, so the shade of their hiding places will keep them nice and comfortable.
When the sun goes down, baby hedgehogs come to life. Their eyesight is not very good, but they make up for it with exceptional hearing and sense of smell. This means that no matter how dark it is around them, the spiny mammals can hunt their prey.
Even though hedgehog babies are small, they are mighty. You might not guess from looking at them, but they can cover more than two miles in one evening. They are foragers, so they prefer to eat meals that are close to the ground and easy to catch. However, if the opportunity arises, hoglets can kill and eat snakesbecause they are immune to poison.
#4: Hoglets Protect Themselves In Unusual Ways
With a maximum length of 9 inches and an adult weight of 1.25 pounds, hedgehogs are small mammals. Due to their size, they have no shortage of predators. Foxes, birds of prey, badgers and even ferrets eating hedgehogs. Since hoglets don’t have the size or strength to repel these animals, they have to get creative to ensure their safety.
One of the main ways hedgehogs protect themselves from predators is by masking their scent. The first way they can do this is by rolling around in their feces. To a human, this may sound like a disgusting habit, but for hoglets, it’s a matter of life or death.
Perhaps the most fascinating way that hedgehogs protect themselves is through a process called anointing. Anointing is a habit where a hedgehog produces a lot of foamy spit. Then they twist their bodies in all sorts of different directions to spread the saliva over their spines. The result? Their scent is masked and they are effectively safer from predators.
Despite their best efforts, the prevention of danger is not always possible for the baby hedgehog. When a threat looms, hoglets have a few other ways to stay safe. The first and most common strategy they use is to curl up into a ball. When they do this, their spines ward off predators and their organs are protected from the outside.
Baby hedgehogs may also bite or hiss to scare off animals that want to hurt them.
#5: Hoglets are seriously tiny!
There is no doubt that hedgehog babies are tiny creatures. As babies, they can measure a ridiculously small four inches. They are also extremely light, weighing only 10 grams or a third of an ounce. Even as adults, the largest species of hedgehog, the European hedgehog, grows to only about 14 inches tall and weighs up to 80 grams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much do baby hedgehogs weigh?
The smallest baby hedgehog, called African pygmy, weighs less than an ounce at birth. Most hedgehogs never gain more than a pound.
What do baby hedgehogs eat?
Baby hedgehogs survive the first three to four weeks of life on their mother’s milk alone. Then they eat a diet of crickets, mice,
Where do baby hedgehogs live?
Hoglets live in wild areas of Asia, Africa and Europe. They are also kept as pets worldwide!
What are baby hedgehogs called?
A single baby hedgehog is called a hoglet. A group is called a nest, array or stimulus. Before the 1990s, hoglets were also referred to as puppies, hedgehogs, kittens, and even piglets! Baby pigs are also called piglets, and baby seals are pups too!
[ad_2]
Source link