Hedgehogs are nocturnal omnivores, which use excellent smell and taste senses to dine on insects and plants. Native to Africa and Eurasia, these porcupine-like mammals are actually related to moles and shrews. They hibernate during winter. They curl up into balls with up to 500 spines pointed outward for protection. They have rounded bodies, are typically brown-yellow in color, with stubby tails, pointed snouts, spiny backs and sides, and coarse-haired undersides. Four main groups of 14 species exist.
