ABOUT MR. PRICKLY.

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 257, 26 July 1930, Page 28

ABOUT MR. PRICKLY.

“Hedgehogs are quite common in many districts,” writes “Blue Glen.” “And totally absent in others. Those who have uot seen this quaint little mammal will be Interested iu this short description. A full-grown male may measure about eleven inches in length, one inch being tail. The female is slightly less. The face is covered in coarse hair, the rest of the body, with the exception of the underparts, being covered entirely by stiff, sharp quills. These quills are about three-quarters of an inch long, and can be erected at will. The legs are short, the eyes are bright aud prominent. In shape it is inclined to be portly. It sleeps all day hidden under a hedge broom or a cosy retreat, snug from preying eyes. The hedgehog is a creature that snores. At. night it goes out and hunts for food. Along hedge rows, ditches, banks ,Mr. Prickly rambles, rooting a tuft of grass here, scrambling over a fallen log there. He is a very industrious little worker, and does his work very thoroughly. He is a very good swimmer, and very active on his feet. The principal diet is beetles, slugs, and worms. In addition to this, rats, mice, frogs, lizards, and even snakes in other countries may be found on the bill of fare. Hedgehogs were first liberated in New Zealand by the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society in 1870. Since then they have been taken to the North Island and many other places.”