Little Hedgehog

The hedgehogs (Erinaceidae) form a family of mammals whose best-known representatives in Europe are the species brown-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) and northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus). The brown-breasted hedgehog is the species typically found in western and central Europe.

Hedgehogs are small to medium-sized animals. Their head-torso lengths vary from 10 to 45 centimeters. The hedgehog species with the largest and heaviest specimens is the great rat hedgehog, weighing up to 2 kilograms. In contrast, specimens of the lesser rat hedgehog weigh 20 to 80 grams. The tail length of hedgehogs is variable, some representatives of the rat hedgehogs have a long tail, while in the spiny hedgehogs it is usually only a short stub.

The limbs of hedgehogs are relatively short and unspecialized. The thumbs or big toes are not opposable, as in all insectivores, and the feet end in usually five toes with sharp claws - only African hedgehogs have four toes on the hind feet. The tibia and fibula are fused in the lower half, as in many insectivores. Hedgehogs are sole walkers. In rat hedgehogs, the hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs, which allows for quick flight.