The average hedgehog weighs approximately ½ to 1-¼ pounds and most are the size of a softball or slightly larger when they are rolled into a ball. Some adult hedgehogs have a slightly larger build and can weigh up to 2 pounds (the size of a small guinea pig) without being fat. Most hedgehogs are 6-8 inches in length, but it is hard to accurately and consistently measure a hedgehog because their body changes shape when it is balled up, relaxed, sitting or moving.
Spines
The most unique and obvious physical characteristic of hedgehogs is their spines. The weight of the spines accounts for approximately 35% of the hedgehog’s weight. (Miller) Technically speaking, hedgehogs have spines and not quills, but their unique hair is often referred to as quills. The hedgehog’s spines have solid shafts, whereas quills are hollow like a feather. Also, the hedgehog does NOT release its spines as a form of defense, as a porcupine does its quills. Another contrast between a porcupine’s quills is a hedgehog’s spines do NOT have barbs on the end that can stick in your skin like a porcupine’s quills. Hedgehogs do use their spines as their main line of defense by erecting them so they criss-cross and point in different directions protecting the skin and body. Hedgehogs have an orbicularis muscle that it contracts like a drawstring when it rolls up into a ball. The hedgehog hides its head and legs by creating a ball and using its spines as protection. Hedgehogs can puff of pop, and if you are poked by an individual spine it can be painful. Proper handling techniques allow the hedgehog to become relaxed and handled comfortably. Its spines will lay flat toward the tail when relaxed, and the spines will feel relatively smooth when petted from front to back.
Forehead Furrow
There is a natural part in the spines on the forehead of the hedgehog. A hedgehog can raise its forehead spines when it is nervous or mildly irritated. The furrow provides space for the raised spines so they point forward instead of criss-crossing when the skin is pulled down over the eyes.
Teeth
Hedgehogs have 36-44 teeth in a long, pointy snout. The first pair of incisors is slightly larger than the rest, but they are certainly not as dramatically different in size from their other teeth as a rodent’s front teeth. Hedgehog incisors do not continuously grow, as do rodent incisors, and so they do not have an innate need to chew or gnaw on things to wear down their teeth. The baby teeth are shed early and replaced by rooted adult teeth. Poor diet can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Feet
Hedgehogs have 4 toes on the rear feet and 5 toes on the front feet in the Atelerix species. The nails on the front feet may need trimmed more frequently than the rear feet to prevent them from curling into the foot and damaging the footpad. Hedgehogs’ feet and toes are made for walking and running. They do not have opposable thumbs or fingers for grasping or vertical climbing.
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ViraApriciliaWinarni
Landak termasuk hewan pengerat atau Rodentia dengan rambut yang tebal serta menyerupai duti yang tajam. Binatang ini dapat ditemukan di wilayah Asia, Afrika, dan Amerika serta cenderung menyebar di area tropika. Landak merupakan hewan pengerat terbesar urutan ketika, jika ditinjau dari ukuran tubuh, setelah kapibara dan berang-berang.
Hewan yang satu ini cukup unik, sebab memiliki kemampuan untuk agak membulat serta tak terlalu gesit atau lincah jika di sejajarkan dengan tikus. Akibat rambut durinya, hewan lain juga dapat dikenali sebagai landak, namun bukan pengerat, yakni seperti hedgehog serta landak semut (Echidna).
The average hedgehog weighs approximately ½ to 1-¼ pounds and most are the size of a softball or slightly larger when they are rolled into a ball.
Some adult hedgehogs have a slightly larger build and can weigh up to 2 pounds (the size of a small guinea pig) without being fat.
Most hedgehogs are 6-8 inches in length, but it is hard to accurately and consistently measure a hedgehog because their body changes shape when it is balled up, relaxed, sitting or moving.
Spines
The most unique and obvious physical characteristic of hedgehogs is their spines.
The weight of the spines accounts for approximately 35% of the hedgehog’s weight. (Miller)
Technically speaking, hedgehogs have spines and not quills, but their unique hair is often referred to as quills.
The hedgehog’s spines have solid shafts, whereas quills are hollow like a feather. Also, the hedgehog does NOT release its spines as a form of defense, as a porcupine does its quills.
Another contrast between a porcupine’s quills is a hedgehog’s spines do NOT have barbs on the end that can stick in your skin like a porcupine’s quills.
Hedgehogs do use their spines as their main line of defense by erecting them so they criss-cross and point in different directions protecting the skin and body.
Hedgehogs have an orbicularis muscle that it contracts like a drawstring when it rolls up into a ball.
The hedgehog hides its head and legs by creating a ball and using its spines as protection.
Hedgehogs can puff of pop, and if you are poked by an individual spine it can be painful.
Proper handling techniques allow the hedgehog to become relaxed and handled comfortably.
Its spines will lay flat toward the tail when relaxed, and the spines will feel relatively smooth when petted from front to back.
Forehead Furrow
There is a natural part in the spines on the forehead of the hedgehog.
A hedgehog can raise its forehead spines when it is nervous or mildly irritated. The furrow provides space for the raised spines so they point forward instead of criss-crossing when the skin is pulled down over the eyes.
Teeth
Hedgehogs have 36-44 teeth in a long, pointy snout.
The first pair of incisors is slightly larger than the rest, but they are certainly not as dramatically different in size from their other teeth as a rodent’s front teeth.
Hedgehog incisors do not continuously grow, as do rodent incisors, and so they do not have an innate need to chew or gnaw on things to wear down their teeth.
The baby teeth are shed early and replaced by rooted adult teeth.
Poor diet can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Feet
Hedgehogs have 4 toes on the rear feet and 5 toes on the front feet in the Atelerix species.
The nails on the front feet may need trimmed more frequently than the rear feet to prevent them from curling into the foot and damaging the footpad.
Hedgehogs’ feet and toes are made for walking and running.
They do not have opposable thumbs or fingers for grasping or vertical climbing.
Hewan yang satu ini cukup unik, sebab memiliki kemampuan untuk agak membulat serta tak terlalu gesit atau lincah jika di sejajarkan dengan tikus. Akibat rambut durinya, hewan lain juga dapat dikenali sebagai landak, namun bukan pengerat, yakni seperti hedgehog serta landak semut (Echidna).