The Hedgehog

[betplom]

Lets be clear, I'm referring to this hedgehog:


NOT this one:

[betplom]

Hedgehogs are easily recognized by their spines, which are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin.

Their spines are not poisonous or barbed and, unlike the quills of a porcupine, cannot easily be removed from the animal.

However, spines normally come out when a hedgehog sheds baby spines and replaces them with adult spines.

This is called "quilling".

When under extreme stress or during sickness, a hedgehog can also lose spines.

[englishmike]

Plom, I'm feeling a need to flame....

[betplom]

Plom, I'm feeling a need to flame....

Mikey, we are buddies and all but if you flame me I'll fight back.

Don't do it mate.

[betplom]

A defense that all species of hedgehogs possess is the ability to roll into a tight ball, causing all of the spines to point outwards.

However, its effectiveness depends on the number of spines, and since some of the desert hedgehogs evolved to carry less weight, they are much more likely to try to run away and sometimes even attack the intruder, trying to ram into the intruder with its spines, leaving rolling as a last resort.

This results in a different number of predators for different species: while forest hedgehogs have relatively few, primarily birds (especially owls) and ferrets, smaller species like the Long-eared Hedgehog are preyed on by foxes, wolves and mongooses.

[englishmike]

Goodnight.

[betplom]

Hedgehogs are fairly vocal, and communicate not only in a series of grunts and snuffles, but sometimes in loud squeals (depending on species).

[HedgeHog]

Hedgehogs are fairly vocal, and communicate not only in a series of grunts and snuffles, but sometimes in loud squeals (depending on species).

That describes me quite well.

[rm18]

i touched a wild hedgehog when I was in France, not sharp like I thought they were

[pico]

when are you going to do an article on beavers?

[HedgeHog]

when are you going to do an article on beavers?

Yeah and include pictures on those too, please.

[Mudcat]

Hedgehogs are easily recognized by their spines, which are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin.

This is good info for anyone looking at this thinking, "What's the point?"

[SBR Lou]

This is good info for anyone looking at this thinking, "What's the point?"

[Casperwaits]

i touched a wild hedgehog when I was in France, not sharp like I thought they were

I talked to a girl once in Vegas, not as sharp as I thought they were. Maybe it was because the roofies I slipped her were beginning to kick in. Note to self, have convo, THEN slip her the roofies, THEN boom-chicka-wow-wow!!

[RogueJuror]

bump

[betplom]

Hedgehogs occasionally perform a ritual called anointing. When the animal comes across a new scent, it will lick and bite the source and then form a scented froth in its mouth and paste it on its spines with its tongue.

It is not known what the specific purpose of this ritual is, but some experts believe anointing camouflages the hedgehog with the new scent of the area and provides a possible poison or source of infection to any predator that gets poked by their spines.

Anointing is sometimes also called anting because of a similar behavior in birds.

[Casperwaits]

Last week, I kissed this girl named April, now April had been doing JagerBomb shots for most of the night, but hell I was game and she was cute. Anyway, as I kissed her she "anointed" me. The biting and licking got so intense, she puked a little just on the tip of my tongue. I always hated Jagermeister. This didn't make the feelings any different.

[betplom]

Last week, I kissed this girl named April, now April had been doing JagerBomb shots for most of the night, but hell I was game and she was cute. Anyway, as I kissed her she "anointed" me. The biting and licking got so intense, she puked a little just on the tip of my tongue. I always hated Jagermeister. This didn't make the feelings any different.

lol

[betplom]

Similar to opossums, mice, and moles, hedgehogs have some natural immunity against snake venom due to the protein erinacin in the animal's muscular system.

Hedgehogs perform well with other pets, including cats and dogs. They are occasionally threatened by these animals, though, but for those rare instances, the hedgehogs just roll into a ball until the threat is gone.

[Casperwaits]

I was in Tijuana and this girl Juanna was "performing' in this traditional show native to Mexico. Much like the hedgehog, Juanna performed well with other pets. That donkey show scarred me for a good 7-8 minutes. Than I drank some Tequila and rolled into a ball. I love Mexican women.

[pavyracer]

I have tried roasted hedgehog before cooked on an open fire. Delicious!

[betplom]

I was in Tijuana and this girl Juanna was "performing' in this traditional show native to Mexico. Much like the hedgehog, Juanna performed well with other pets. That donkey show scarred me for a good 7-8 minutes. Than I drank some Tequila and rolled into a ball. I love Mexican women.

Casper, I like your style pal, this is my type of humour!

[betplom]

Although traditionally classified in the now abandoned order Insectivora, hedgehogs are not exclusively insectivores but are almost omnivorous.

Hedgehogs feed on insects, snails, frogs and toads, snakes, bird eggs, carrion, mushrooms, grass roots, berries, melons, and watermelons.

In fact, berries constitute a major part of an Afghan Hedgehog's diet in early spring after hibernation.

The hedgehog is occasionally spotted after a rainstorm foraging for earthworms. Although forest hedgehogs, most well-known to Europeans, are indeed mainly insectivores, this is not necessarily true for other species.

[RogueJuror]

I can't wait to find out what's tomorrow's animal.

[Casperwaits]

Although traditionally classified in the now abandoned order Insectivora, hedgehogs are not exclusively insectivores but are almost omnivorous.

Hedgehogs feed on insects, snails, frogs and toads, snakes, bird eggs, carrion, mushrooms, grass roots, berries, melons, and watermelons.

In fact, berries constitute a major part of an Afghan Hedgehog's diet in early spring after hibernation.

The hedgehog is occasionally spotted after a rainstorm foraging for earthworms. Although forest hedgehogs, most well-known to Europeans, are indeed mainly insectivores, this is not necessarily true for other species.

This thread has got me rethinking my ancestory. Much like the hedgehog I have been known to feed off of a mushroom or a roach (if someone ever leaves one behind). I to will imbibe in berries. the Juniper berry being my favorite for it makes Gin that wonderfully tasty libation I do so desire. Now don't even get me started on MELONS. Hell that girl Juanna (The Mexican) gave me her sweet papayas after the Donkey Show and lil Casper became semi lil Casper in seconds (Viva Viagra)! In conclusion, this ghost may be a hedgehog!! Now only if Maury Povich can get some DNA tests done and find out who my hedgehog father is!!

[betplom]

bump

bump

[smarmy]

I have tried roasted hedgehog before cooked on an open fire. Delicious!

They taste just like Bald Eagle.

[Willie Bee]

BP, maybe we should rename this forum The Zoo. It's a regular wildlife menagerie in here today. Got anything on the upcoming menu about mice or spiders? Several guys here in the office are big fans.

[betplom]

BP, maybe we should rename this forum The Zoo. It's a regular wildlife menagerie in here today. Got anything on the upcoming menu about mice or spiders? Several guys here in the office are big fans.

Willie, things seem to be getting out of hand around here lately, the religious talk and my anti bible thread seemed to bring out the worst in people.

Just trying to lighten it up again.

[madmaxx]

[Willie Bee]

Willie, things seem to be getting out of hand around here lately, the religious talk and my anti bible thread seemed to bring out the worst in people.

Just trying to lighten it up again.

I concur with your assessment of the situation. Carry on, my Canadian friend

[HedgeHog]

They taste just like Bald Eagle.

Thanks for eating me.

[smarmy]

Thanks for eating me.

God you're gay!

[HedgeHog]

God you're gay!

Hey, you ate me, remember?

[RogueScholar]

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the HedgeHog is also the only creature known to attack homosexuals of other species without provocation. But then, when you consider that the female hedgehog has just as many spines as the male, perhaps they just don't like to see any animals enjoy the mating ritual...