Hedgehog Habitat Found.

The huge storm which caused a tree above Room 11 to split in half and crash near the classroom also led us to find a hedgehog nest or den of 7 baby hedgehogs exposed on the bank. One of the young ones left the nest and rolled down the back which we all watched from the classroom. It was rescued and put back with the other ones.

Here are some interesting facts we found about the N.Z Hedgehog:

• Most adults hibernate for 3 months; June to September
• Newborn are blind and have no spikes/spines. Yet within 24 hours they grow a set of soft white spikes/spines and within 48 hours darker spines appear. Eyes open at 14 days old.
• The young remain with the mother for 6-7 weeks, sometimes following her around in a line like ducklings.
• Something is usually wrong with a hedgehog to force it out in daylight as they are nocturnal animals.
• Adult hedgehogs are classified as insectivores-insect and meat eaters.
• They eat pests like slugs and snails in the vegetable garden but the older adults can be a threat to our native species by eating the eggs and rare insects.