Do You Know Hedgehog?

   A hedgehog is any of the small spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae and the order Erinaceomorpha. There are 16 species of hedgehog in five genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand. There are no hedgehogs native to Australia, and no living species native to North America; those in New Zealand are introduced. Hedgehogs have changed little over the last 15 million years. Like many of the first mammals they have adapted to a nocturnal, insectivorous way of life.

Under the Skin

   Hedgehogs have a fairly typical mammalian skeletal structure, but with much longer hind and fore-legs than most people imagine. The skull is broad and blunt with well-developed cheek bones. The jaw can exert a surprising amount of force do to the musculature attachment being located well-forward of the cheek bones.

   The cranial cavity is small, but contains a brain that, while primitive in many aspects, is surprisingly more complex than first observations suggest.

   Dentition consists of  36 teeth which are highly suited to both an insectivorous and omnivorous diet.