Hedgehogs

 


Hedgehogs are small, spiny mammals. They are mostly nocturnal, sleeping in shallow holes or under rocks during the day. They eat insects, frogs, snails and some greenery. When threatened, they roll into a tight ball!

Hedgehog resources for kids

Did you know that 2nd February each year is World Hedgehog Day? That makes it a great excuse to learn something about hedgehogs with the kids, read a hedgehog story or print some of the fun printable activities below! And or course you could tackle a hedgehog craft with the children too.

Fun Facts about Hedgehogs

  • Hedgehogs have also been known as urchins, hedgepigs and furzepigs
  • They are the only native British animal that has spines, or quills
  • Each spine lasts for about a year before it falls out and is replaced by another one. A hedghog can have between 5,000 and 6,000 spines.
  • It is thought that there were about 30 million hedgehogs in the UK in the 1950s, but recent surveys suggest that are are only about 1 million left now
  • Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets
  • Hedgehogs have very poor eyesight so they rely on their senses of hearing and smell
  • A group of hedgehogs is called an array.
  • Hedgehogs are one of only three British mammals (the others being bats and dormice) that hibernate.

A hoglet, 4 days old

Our Hedgehog Resources for Kids

Hedgehog Colouring Pages
Lots NEW! We've got a fun collection of hedgehog colouring pages for you to print for the kids...
Hedgehog Crafts
We've got an assortment of hedgehog crafts here to try with your kids - perhaps with the coming...
Hedgehog Printables
Lots NEW! Explore our collection of fun hedgehog printables for kids! We have everything from a...
Hedgehog Puzzles
Hedgehog fans will love this fun collection of puzzles for kids - and they are perfect for an extra...
Hedgehog Worksheets
Lots NEW! Have some fun with these hedgehog worksheets - whether you are learning about hedgehogs...
Life Cycle of a Hedgehog
Did you know that hedgehogs are one of only three British mammals that hibernate in winter? (The...

Hedgehogs In Stories

Beatrix Potter's Mrs Tiggy-winkle is probably the most famous hedgehog in the world! Here is an extract to enjoy:

~ ~ ~

Lucie opened the door: and what do you think there was inside the hill? - a nice clean kitchen with a lagged floor and wooden beams - just like any other farm kitchen. Only the ceiling was so low that Lucie's head nearly touched it; and the pots and pans were small, and so was everything there.

THERE was a nice hot singey smell; and at the table, with an iron in her hand stood a very stout short person staring anxiously at Lucie.

Her print gown was tucked up, and she was wearing a large apron over her striped petticoat. Her little black nose went sniffle, sniffle, snuffle, and her eyes went twinkle, twinkle; and underneath her cap--where Lucie had yellow curls--that little person had PRICKLES!

"Who are you?" said Lucie. "Have you seen my pocket-handkins?"

The little person made a bob-curtsey - "Oh, yes, if you please'm; my name is Mrs. Tiggy-winkle; oh, yes if you please'm, I'm an excellent clear-starcher!"

And she took something out of a clothes- basket, and spread it on the ironing-blanket.

~ ~ ~

Cute hedgehog


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