European Hedgehog

The European hedgehog, is a hedgehog species found throughout the Palaearctic region, except in the Himalayas and North Africa.

This hedgehog is about 20 to 30 cm in length. Adult mass can range from 600 to 700 g after hibernation up to 1100 or 1200 g prior to hibernation.

The European Hedgehog lives in woodland, farmland, and suburban areas. It is nocturnal, and if alarmed will roll itself into a ball, protecting itself against potential predators with its spines. Unlike the smaller, warmer climate species, the European Hedgehog may hibernate in the winter. Blonde hedgehogs have a rare recessive gene giving rise to beady, button-black eyes and creamy-coloured spines; they are not strictly speaking albino. They are extremely rare except on the Channel Island of Alderney and are nicknamed "Alderney Spike Girls". A population of around a thousand is believed to exist. They allegedly carry no fleas, and are a localised island variant of Erinaceus europaeus.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Hedgehog - - 05.05.2010