Hedgehogs are wonderful little creatures to have. However, this does not mean that there are not challenges of owning and loving them. If you have dreams of seeing one in the wild, you may face a unique challenge. The best place to see Hedgehogs in the wild may be more of a trip than you are expecting.
Where Do Hedgehogs Live?
They thrive in warmer clients, but this does not mean they cannot handle a little coolness. However, in the cooler areas of the world, they may hibernate during the winter since they do not enjoy cold temperatures.
These not so furry creatures are native to areas such as Africa, Asia, Europe, and New Zealand. In these areas, they can thrive in savannas, deserts, suburban gardens, forests, and all other types of habitats. The key to their survival is whether they can find or build burrows for themselves. These burrows will need to be up to 20 inches deep. Typically, they are made from leaves, branches, and other similar vegetation.
Do You Have to Go Abroad?
Typically, hedgehogs do not naturally live in Australia, South America, or North America, but they are in those areas. They have been introduced to these continents both in captivity and in the wild. So far, they are able to thrive in any area, although they do prefer to live in dryer areas where it is easy for them to get out and hunt insects for food. This also allows them to eat plants with a particular fondness for watermelons, berries, mushrooms, and more.
It is the hope that one day you will not have to travel to specific continents to see these animals. Maybe one day you will be able to see them on one of your hikes in Maui near Wailea or walking through your backyard in Florida, where they will have plenty of access to all their favorite foods.
The Future of Hedgehogs
The goal is to see hedgehogs worldwide to ensure that they continue to thrive. However, we still have a long way to go. It is illegal to own a hedgehog in some areas. You cannot own them if you live in Georgia, Washington DC, New York, Pennsylvania, California, or Hawaii at this time. This is because there is some concern about them taking over habitats and food items for animals that are native to those states. It is also because there is a concern that animals from other areas may introduce bacteria and diseases that are not there at this time.
How long will it take us to get to where we can walk outdoors and see these tiny pin cushions? There is no certain answer. However, because of their natural way of defending themselves, these little guys are not going to go away anytime soon. The hope is that they will continue to thrive in all areas of the world.