February 2, 2024, is National Hedgehog Day. Learn about these fascinating animals, enjoy fun books, and create a hedgehog craft.
Facts
- 1Hedgehogs have a cute name that matches their habits. The ‘hedge’ part of their name comes from where they build their nests: hedges, bushes, and shrubs. The ‘hog’ part comes from the slight snorting/grunting sound they make, similar to a pig/warthog. The hedgehog was not always called a hedgehog. Before this, they were called Urchins, which led to the naming of Sea Urchins.
- 2There are seventeen different species of hedgehogs throughout the world.
- 3Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and cannot drink milk.
- 4Hedgehogs are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and only come out at night.
- 5Even though hedgehogs have tiny legs and seem to move slowly, they can cover much ground. While out foraging in the evening, they can travel up to 2 miles.
- 6Hedgehogs have around 5000 to 7000 spines on their back. These can be raised and lowered to respond to threatening situations. Each quill/spine lasts about a year before dropping out and being replaced.
- 7When they are born, their spines are soft and short. However, shortly after birth, their spines harden, becoming stiffer, sharper, and longer.
Books
Baby Hedgehogs by Megan Borgert-Spaniol
Developed by literacy experts for kindergarten through grade three students, this book introduces baby hedgehogs to young readers through leveled text and related photos.
Hedgehogs by Kari Schuetz
Developed by literacy experts for kindergarten through grade three students, this book introduces hedgehogs to young readers through leveled text and related photos. The permanently attached VOX Reader transforms an ordinary print book into an all-in-one read-along.
Prickly Hedgehogs! by Jane McGuinness
Follows a mother hedgehog as she teaches her babies how to survive on their own and explains many facts about hedgehogs.
Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Betton
Hedgehog wakes up needing a hug but has trouble finding a friend who will get so close to his prickles.
Hedgehogs by Paul Wilson
Outlines factors to consider when contemplating the hedgehog as a pet.
Hedgehog by Ann Matzke
Hedgehogs are not your typical pet. These exciting and unusual nocturnal animals with bright eyes, sweet faces, and prickly backs require special care and handling. Did you know that hedgehogs are one of the oldest, most primitive animals to roam the Earth since dinosaurs? Learn more about these cute, quirky little pets and see if a hedgehog is right for you!
Love You Always by Frances Stickley
Everything is changing around little Hedgie. Would his mommy love him more if he changed, too? It is a heartfelt story about the never-ending love between parent and child.
Hedgehog and Rabbit: The Scary Wind by Pablo Albo
Hedgehog and Rabbit enjoy eating cabbages and looking for snails in their peaceful garden. But when a scary, swirling wind comes up, the two must find a way to face their fears.
Hedge Hog! by Ashlyn Anstee
As the cold winter approaches, the grumpy hedgehog refuses to share his hedge with the garden animals looking for shelter. Still, he’s about to learn a valuable lesson about helping others.
Hedgehugs by Steve Wilson & Lucy Tapper
Horace and Hattie are hedgehogs and the very best of friends. Together, they make daisy chains, splash in puddles and have tea parties. But there is one thing they can’t do–hug! They are just too spiky. These two hedgehogs will try many different ways of hugging throughout the seasons. But will Horace and Hattie find a hug that feels just right?
Hello, Hedgehog by Laura Buller.
Introduces hedgehogs, describing why they have prickly spines covering their backs, how they hibernate, and how to properly care for a hedgehog as a pet.
Hedgehogs by Mary Quattlebaum
Learn all about what hedgehogs are, where they live, what they eat, and other cool facts about these spiky animals.
Hedge-Hedgey-Hedgehogs by Bonnie Bader.
Hedgehogs are tiny animals with sharp spines. But these cute critters make great pets! Find out all about how to care for a hedgehog in this fact-and-photo-filled reader.
The Special Blankie by M. Christina Butler
While Little Hedgehog babysits his cousin, with help from his forest friends, the baby’s favorite blanket brings them some misadventures but later saves the day.
Herbie’s Big Adventure by Jennie Poh
When his mother sends Herbie, the young hedgehog, out on his first big foraging adventure, a big wind sweeps him far from home.
Hedgehog Craft Idea
Materials:
Directions:
Step 1: Start by drawing and cutting out a large heart on white construction paper. This is your hedgehog’s head.
Step 2: Glue down the heart on the edge of the black construction paper so the point hangs off the paper.
Step 3: With your crayons, color your hedgehog’s face, add eyes, and add a pom pom nose for extra flare.
Step 4: Using chalk, make the hedgehog spikes by drawing lines going upward away from your hedgehog’s face.
