Wednesday wildlife - Hedgehog

This hedgehog visited Helen and Ian's garden while I was staying there in 2009. He's looking a bit sheepish because he's just knocked over a plant pot.

The European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) lives in woodland, farmland and suburban areas. It is nocturnal, and if alarmed will roll itself into a ball, protecting itself against potential predators with its spines.The Hedgehog has changed little over the last 15 million years.

Like many of the first mammals they have adapted to a nocturnal, insectivorous way of life. The name 'hedgehog' came into use around the year 1450, derived from the Middle English 'heyghoge', from 'heyg', 'hegge' = hedge, because it frequents hedgerows, and 'hoge', 'hogge' = hog, from its piglike snout. Other names include 'urchin', 'hedgepig' and 'furze-pig' .