Hedgehogs

I need to preface this post by making this point perfectly clear; I am not in any way, shape, or form, obsessed with hedgehogs, I actually only own one hedgehog thing, and it is a stuffed animal that I received as a gift. I just like them, and think they are very cute. I also would enjoy having one or two as a pet, but only cute ones, and I probably wouldn't do weird things with them, except maybe hold them and occasionally let them loose in my house. No, I would not take them on walks, sleep with them in my bed, or dress them up in any outfits (however, if I did choose to do this, I would definitely dress it up in lederhosen, like the hedgehog in Toy Story 3). I just find it very funny that Ms. Serensky does not like hedgehogs, that just baffles me, so I wanted to write this post...well, mostly just to creep her out more. 

Hedgehogs are spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae, and there are actually 17 different species of hedgehog! They are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand. They are nocturnal (another reason why I don't want to have a lot of hedgehogs, I like my sleep). They got "hog" in the name because of their "piglike" snout. Sometimes they are also called hedgepigs, and I don't really like that name too much. They aren't like porcupines in the fact that they have barbed or poisonous quills, they are just sharp. For defense, hedgehogs roll tightly into a ball and make all of their quills point out (it's the cutest thing ever... but probably not if you try to touch one). When hedgehogs sleep, they go under a rock, bush, grass, or hole in the ground. Some hedgehogs hibernate. An average hedgehog has 5,000 to 6,500 quills. Hedgehogs can run up to 4.5 miles per hour, or better! I think that's faster than me. And they are also good at climbing steep walls, trees, fences, and swimming. I am also bad at all of those things! Hedgehogs communicate through grunts, snuffles, and squeals (adorable). Hedgehogs get along with dogs, cats, and other pets! The website i'm reading suggests "to protect hedgehogs from particularly large, aggressive, or mischievous pets." I'm not so sure it's just hedgehogs that should be kept away from these pets, just a thought. Hedgehogs feed on snails, frogs, toads, snakes, bird eggs, mushrooms, grass roots, berries, and melons. They are also very classy animals, and they also enjoy salmon en croute, lobster thermidor, and filet mignon. However, the best way to attract a hedgehog is through tinned cat or dog food (they like the chicken flavors), chopped peanuts, and raisins. Milk gives hedgehogs stomach pain, but they do enjoy water, but not in a pool where they can not get out. The best hedgehogs to have as a pet are hybrids of White-Bellied Hedgehogs, Four-Toed Hedgehogs, and the North African Hedgehogs. They are considered the African Pigmy Hedgehogs. These animals prefer warm climates, somewhere between 72 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Interestingly, it is illegal to have a hedgehog in the UK.

That is all legitimate information I found about hedgehogs, minus the part about them enjoying those classy dishes. As I went from site to site I found a lot of unusual hedgehog things. For instance, pork hedgehogs with slivered almond quills. I don't know who would want to eat a hedgehog, even though it's not a real hedgehog, it's just so weird. 

This makes my stomach churn. 

People also spend a lot of time making craft hedgehogs, of all different varieties. I think the fact that this scares me shows that I do not have a strange obsession with them. 

What would you even do with some of these things? 

However, even though there are a TON of creepy hedgehog things, the number of cute hedgehog pictures, videos, and stories far outweigh the bad. I am going to post some of my favorites (I enjoy thinking that this is creeping a lot of people out, especially if it's Ms. Serensky): 

ITS A BABY! 

Hedgehog bath time!! 

This is definitely one of the cutest things I've ever seen, I call it "Eggy Hedgy" 

The hedgehog has a boo-boo! 

This is my favorite. I want to cry this is so adorable. I JUST WANT TO SQUEEZE IT. 

And here it is, the moment I know everyone's been waiting for, a hedgehog eating a carrot: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw-IAYxu5uo
(I recomment watching it on mute)

If you aren't a hedgehog after seeing those pictures and watching the video, then I suppose your name belongs on my "I Hate" list. 

Just kidding!