Hedgehog

A hedgehog is ... spiny mammals... There are seventeen species of hedgehog in five genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and New Zealand (by introduction). There are no hedgehogs native to Australia, and no living species native to the Americas. ... Like many of the first mammals, they have adapted to a nocturnal, insectivorous way of life. ... Hedgehogs are easily recognized by their spines, which are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin. Their spines are not poisonous or barbed and, unlike the quills of a porcupine, cannot easily be removed from the hedgehog. ... A defense that all species of hedgehogs possess is the ability to roll into a tight ball, causing all of the spines to point outwards. ... hedgehogs are not exclusively insectivores but are almost omnivorous. Hedgehogs feed on insects, snails, frogs and toads, snakes, bird eggs, carrion, mushrooms, grass roots, berries, melons and watermelons. [Hedgehog. Wikipedia]