(Gráinneog) Hedgehogs are very common in Ireland. They live in the country. They make their homes in damp and marshy areas. In winter they make a cosy home for the season. Sometimes they make a home in an old rabbit's burrow and hibernate there until spring.

A hedgehog is east to recognise because of its spiny coat, long pointed snout and short stumpy body. They also have a small short tail which can hardly be seen. They have bad eyesight but very good hearing. When it senses danger it curls up into a little ball. Its enemies are mainly foxes and badgers.

Hedgehogs are very good at sport. They are good swimmers, climbers and hunters. They have enormous appetites. They eat slugs, snails, worms, insects, birds' eggs, small mammals, young birds, berries, fruits and acorns. They are nocturnal creatures. They cannot move very fast and many are killed by cars as they cross the road.

By Alison Quigley and Dion O'Brien

Index of mammals