Although we may be limited to the odd pigeon or garden bird where we live, the one thing I do remember from years and years ago is rescuing a hedgehog or two that had either been injured or had just gotten a bit lost. Now, however we don't see them, really at all- but like most animals, I suppose it's a case of if there's no food and no appropriate habitat, they'll move on! One thing I was surprised to find out, is that they can't actually drink milk because it gives them diarrhea! Our spiny friends live a pretty amazing life, they're quite sociable and live in packs called an "array", unfortunately many people want to keep hedgehogs as pets, so much so the authorities have got involved - they're now banned in New York, Arizona, California and Hawaii because their governments classify them as wild animals, so for obvious reasons, they can't be kept domestically. Most Hedgehogs also disappear for Winter, making them only one of three species in the UK that hibernate. Luckily, they're pretty much immune to snake venom so they can also stay safe. Whatever happens to our hedgehogs, here in the UK and the US, one thing's for sure is that one legacy they have left, is that the sea urchin was named after them!
Hedgehogs live a surprising life in the US. Because of this craze in the US, with keeping Hedgehogs as pets, there is such a thing as the Hedgehog Olympic Games (it is true, I promise!!) featuring some pretty crazy events like sprints and hurdles in Illinois in the US. You'll be pleased to hear however it's not happening now as many organisations got involved and rightly deemed it unfair on the hedgehogs!!
