It’s not necessarily personal if they don’t ever warm to you in this way. Hedgehogs have changed little over the last 15 million years. %PDF-1.4 %���� How do you think this might be like the hedgehog’s adaptive trait? Title: Subtitle: Section of Page if appropriate. As far as pets go, their behaviors can be a bit…different than more traditional pets like cats or dogs. As mentioned above, hedgehogs don’t tend to seek human attention and physical affection the way dogs, cats, and other traditional pets do. Environment and Adaptations To Next Page Environment. if (document.mmm_fo) document.write ("&mmm_fo=1"); Hedgehogs need some daily playtime and socialization, or interaction with their human owners. The west European hedgehog (scientific name Erinaceus europaeus) is one of about 17 hedgehog species worldwide and unmistakable as Britain’s only spiny mammal. if (document.referrer) document.write ("&referer=" + escape(document.referrer)); Have you ever noticed that when you are startled, afraid or chilled the hairs on your arms or the back of your neck stand up? Hedgehogs sleep during the day and are active at night. 0000001077 00000 n if (document.context) document.write ("&context=" + escape(document.context)); For Discussion and Critical Thinking:The hedgehog has adaptive traits that helps it survive in its habitat.1. Other possible reasons include cleaning and protecting the animals from parasites. Likewise, though they may not outwardly indicate it, it’s important to spend 15 to 30 minutes a day sitting and watching your hedgehog in their cage or enclosure. if (!document.MAX_used) document.MAX_used = ','; if (document.referrer) document.write ("&referer=" + escape(document.referrer)); This is the period when they tend to be most active. November 3, 2020< http://www.exploringnature.org/db/view/Adaptations-of-the-Hedgehog >. Name two animals from your yard, local parks or wild areas (forests, prairies, wetlands, etc.) Citing for websites is different from citing from books, magazines and periodicals. 0000001244 00000 n Hedgehogs usually forage for food, such as insects and vegetation, at night when it is more difficult for predators to see them. 0000201826 00000 n Please Login or Subscribe to access downloadable content. '&charset='+document.characterSet : '')); Again, we’ve covered this in more detail in a separate article. There are exceptions to this rule, of course, but in general, pet hedgehogs behave in such a way that they are the only pet you should have when you keep one as a pet. 0000003372 00000 n Description. 0000004664 00000 n var m3_r = Math.floor(Math.random()*99999999999); This is any i nheritable trait that increases it’s survival rate so that it can live longer, … '&charset='+document.charset : (document.characterSet ? They need a lot of exercise on a nightly basis, and tend to enjoy their exercise wheel. var m3_u = (location.protocol=='https:'? Born in Norfolk, United Kingdom, Hayley Ames' writing experience includes blog articles for a travel website. 0000003711 00000 n So, what are the basics of hedgehog behavior that new pet owners need to know? While sleeping during the day, these animals protect themselves from predators by assuming the curled-up position. '&charset='+document.characterSet : '')); This holds true in the wild as well as for domesticated hedgehogs living in captivity as pets. document.write ('&cb=' + m3_r); "Adaptations of the Hedgehog" Exploring Nature Educational Resource ©2005-2020. When you research information you must cite the reference. 0000001809 00000 n No, adaptations cannot be physical characteristics without complex features, such as behavior. The main purpose of these spines is to defend the hedgehog by deterring predators. 0000009796 00000 n Pet hedgehogs do not need to hibernate, and should not be allowed to hibernate. var m3_u = (location.protocol=='https:'? 0000004228 00000 n 0000006637 00000 n h�b```e``��. Here is a list of some things he or she is trying to say: . They’re just too scared and too vulnerable to live with other pets. Hedgehogs display a behaviour known as anointing. document.write ("?zoneid=995"); Date of Electronic Publication or other Date, such as Last Updated. Your pet hedgie is perfectly happy to be home asleep during the day, and see you for a bit during the evening and morning hours. 0000003177 00000 n Hedgehogs usually have around 5,000 stiff, sharp, keratin-containing spines. They can often be heard making grunting noises and sometimes nudge their fellow hedgehogs. if (document.referrer) document.write ("&referer=" + escape(document.referrer)); trailer <]/Prev 434634/XRefStm 1077>> startxref 0 %%EOF 81 0 obj <>stream Pet hedgehogs, like their wild counterparts, like to explore. document.write ('&cb=' + m3_r); if (document.mmm_fo) document.write ("&mmm_fo=1"); Most hedgehogs will benefit from 30 minutes or so of out of cage playtime per day in a designated space with their owner. Affiliate Disclaimer AnimalCorner.co.uk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The paws and nails on the hedgehog's front legs are weaker. Day Month Year of access < URL >. We’ll explore all of these aspects of hedgehog behavior in greater detail below. Hedgehogs don’t do great with other pets, and most experts advise you don’t keep more than one hedgehog as a pet at a time. Plus, hedgehogs are independent creatures. If your hedgehog smells something he likes or if he simply comes across a smell that he is unfamiliar with, such as leather, perfume, etc., he will foam at the mouth and will then deposit this foamy saliva on his back and shoulders. 0000204607 00000 n Speaking of socialization, hedgehogs don’t crave human attention the way other pets do. document.write ('&cb=' + m3_r); In the wild, they cover lots of ground at night – miles even every night – and in captivity they need to make up for their more sedentary lifestyle with exercise on a wheel.