A hedgehog is a small mammal covered in sharp spines, about the size of a guinea pig, that lives in Europe, Asia, and Africa. When threatened, a hedgehog curls into a tight ball with its spines pointing outward, creating a prickly defense that few predators can penetrate. These spines are actually modified hairs made stiff with keratin, the same material in your fingernails.

Hedgehogs got their name from their pig-like snout and their habit of rooting through hedges and undergrowth searching for insects, worms, and snails. They're nocturnal creatures, meaning they sleep during the day and hunt at night, using their excellent sense of smell to find food. In gardens, hedgehogs are welcome visitors because they eat many pests that damage plants.

Despite their prickly appearance, hedgehogs are gentle creatures that rarely use their spines offensively. They simply curl up and wait for danger to pass. Some people keep African pygmy hedgehogs as pets, though they require special care and aren't as cuddly as they might look. In children's literature, hedgehogs often appear as wise, cautious characters, perhaps because of their practical defense strategy: when in doubt, protect yourself and be patient.