Hedgehog

mammals · spiky · nocturnal

Covered in spines. Hedgehogs are spiny mammals, and when they feel scared they can curl into a prickly ball to protect their soft tummies.

Found far and wide. There are 17 species of hedgehog living across parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and they were even brought to New Zealand by people.

Not everywhere. There are no hedgehogs native to Australia, and no living species in the Americas today.

Ancient relatives. Long ago, an extinct hedgehog group called Amphechinus once lived in North America.

Five groups. All 17 hedgehog species are sorted into five genera within the family Erinaceidae.