All You Need to Know About the Natural Hedgehog Habitat
Many people have become interested in the hedgehog habitat. This may be due to some people wishing to have hedgehogs as pets, but more than likely it is due to their ability to act as pest controllers. They eat many things that commonly wreck your garden including earwigs, beetles, and slugs. Due to their priceless, consistent ability to exterminate these pests, most people will do whatever it takes to keep them happy, including creating them a hedgehog habitat within their backyard.
Imagine having a garden you do not have to worry about being invaded by pests. No longer are earwigs a concern, instead you can rest assured that your plants are in great hands. Furthermore, there will be no need for wracking your brain for anything that will kill the pests without harming the plants; this simply is no longer an issue. Instead, you have a precise pest controller in your back yard—the hedgehog.
Hedgehogs are relatively small animals that have a sharp and spine-like coat and tend to be somewhere between white and a dark brown in color. These hedgehogs are inclined to grow anywhere from six to fifteen inches long with over five thousand spines at full maturation. These spines tend to be about one inch long. Furthermore, the legs of hedgehogs are very short. Believe it or not, they have horrible eyesight but make up for it in that their hearing is superb.
The hedgehog is a creature that prefers compact sleeping areas. Some will burrow into the ground to catch a nap while others will create a nest. These nests can be made of grass and leaves. Hedgehog nests are generally found under rocks or large shrubs, furthering the comfort and solitary atmosphere. In terms of activity, hedgehogs are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day but are active at night. It is during this time that they consume the insects and pests that inhabit your gardens.
The typical hedgehog habitat is anywhere that is wooded or even cultivated. Obviously this is why hedgehogs love gardens. They also love the desert, forests, and steppes. Furthermore, you can even find hedgehogs in the tropical rainforest. Their species will determine where they live and which hedgehog habitat they prefer. Moreover, the hedgehogs will vary in terms of physical characteristics as well. For example, those living in the desert will have amazingly strong legs and fascinating claws that enable them to burrow in the dry land.
As mentioned above, these animals are amazing for pest control. Not only do they eat the items mentioned above but also some will consume mice and frogs. Furthermore, do you have trees that drop fruit onto the ground? These hedgehogs are even known for eating fruit, seeds, and leaves.
However, if you are wishing to add this hedgehog as a pet, you need to research hedgehog care. As with all animals you are attempting to domesticate, it is essential to understand their natural habitat so that you are able to replicate it indoors or outdoors. Hedgehogs can be housed in plastic bins with toys, bedding, and food bowls. Other cages can include an aquarium, wire cage (with solid floor), wooden box outdoors, etc. Make sure you thoroughly look up what a hedgehog habitat requires before creating the environment. Be sure to provide adequate hiding spots and a place for burrowing to make the hedgehog feel more at home.
In conclusion, hedgehogs have become very popular due to their insect and pest control. Not only are they excellent at eating pests that tend to harm your plants, but also they eat common household invaders like mice. Anyone wishing to build a hedgehog habitat should take his or her behavioral characteristics (burrowing) and natural habitat into consideration. If you are attempting to have this animal as a pet make sure you know how to properly care for it in order to ensure survival. However, if housed outdoors you can purchase or make wooden houses that are ideal for your hedgehog companion.
Related Resources: