Boogie Boogie Hedgehog and other interesting hedgehog facts

November 16, 1:15 AMDC Pet Care ExaminerErin Paquette

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For those of you who know the internet like that little star shaped mole on the back of your neck, you’ve probably already seen the video below, “Boogie Boogie Hedgehog.” If you haven’t, take a moment to watch it -- it’s one of those videos that makes you go “aw,” and then piques your curiosity about having a hedgehog as a pet.

It was after watching this adorable Boogie Boogie Hedgehog video that our own curiosity about Hedgehogs was piqued; and when we’re curious about something, we research it to death. Instead of presenting you with all of the “boring” facts and figures about hedgehogs, we figured that we would skip the important facts (for now) and give you a list of the fun ones.

Why should you be interested in fun facts about hedgehogs? Because the next time you’re at an awkward social gathering or you’re forced into having a conversation with a person armed with an IQ of 130 or more, you will have the upper hand: you alone will know these interesting, yet utterly useless, facts about hedgehogs.  

• Hedgehog “spines” are actually just hollow, pointy hairs made strong by a substance called keratin
   
• When a baby hedgehog sheds its spines, it is known as the act of “quilling”
   
• In some parts of the world, hedgehogs are used as “pest control” for gardens
   
• Hedgehogs are lactose-intolerant
   
• Adult male hedgehogs will often kill baby male hedgehogs
   
• Some hedgehogs have lived for over 16 years
   
• Hedgehogs are born blind
   
• In some states, it is illegal to own a hedgehog as a pet
   
• Hedgehogs can eat close to half a pound of insects every day
   
• It is common for hedgehogs to get cancer
   
• In 2006, McDonald’s made their McFlurry containers more “hedgehog friendly” (click here to read more)
   
• Hedgehogs have a natural immunity to snake venom (but not too much venom!)
   
• Hedgehogs were considered a delicious meal in Ancient Egypt (to learn more, click here)
   
• Some recipes in the middle ages called for hedgehog meat (to learn more, click here)
   
• Unlike porcupines, hedgehogs do not lose their quills when startled or frightened
   

To get your fill of even more hedgehog cuteness, watch the video below and check out some of the external links at the bottom of this article. 

 

• HedgehogCentral.com
• PetInfoPackets.com
• HedgehogClub.com
• HedgehogBreederAlliance.com
• Hedgies.com

Do you have a pet hedgehog? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and tell us a little about your hedgehog, and why you chose to have a hedgehog as a pet.