Top 10 facts about hedgehogs
Aug 7, 2016 07:45:27 #
TODAY is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter, so here are some facts about hedgehogs in honour of her creation of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle. (Taken from Daily Express, UK, 28 July 2016)
1. An average hedgehog has about 5,000 spines. Each spine lasts about a year after which it drops out and a new one grows in its place.
2. Hedgehogs are spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae. There are 17 species of hedgehog.
3. The word for “relating to, or resembling hedgehogs” is “erinaceous”.
4. The word “hedgehog” was first seen in English around 1450. Before that, it was called hurcheon, ile, irchepil or irchin.
5. Hedgehog litters vary between one and 11 babies.
6. A young or baby hedgehog is called a hoglet.
7. The name for a hedgehog among gypsies is “hotchi-witchi”. This is also the name given to a way of cooking hedgehogs baked in clay.
8. In cold climates, hedgehogs hibernate over the winter. In hot climates, they are liable to sleep through the summer. This is called aestivation.
9. A gene responsible for controlling the placing of our body parts is known as “Sonic hedgehog”.
10. “The fox has many tricks. The hedgehog has but one. But that is the best of all.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
1. An average hedgehog has about 5,000 spines. Each spine lasts about a year after which it drops out and a new one grows in its place.
2. Hedgehogs are spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae. There are 17 species of hedgehog.
3. The word for “relating to, or resembling hedgehogs” is “erinaceous”.
4. The word “hedgehog” was first seen in English around 1450. Before that, it was called hurcheon, ile, irchepil or irchin.
5. Hedgehog litters vary between one and 11 babies.
6. A young or baby hedgehog is called a hoglet.
7. The name for a hedgehog among gypsies is “hotchi-witchi”. This is also the name given to a way of cooking hedgehogs baked in clay.
8. In cold climates, hedgehogs hibernate over the winter. In hot climates, they are liable to sleep through the summer. This is called aestivation.
9. A gene responsible for controlling the placing of our body parts is known as “Sonic hedgehog”.
10. “The fox has many tricks. The hedgehog has but one. But that is the best of all.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Aug 8, 2016 11:46:41 #
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