What is self-anointing in hedgehogs?

Spreading frothy saliva on their spines

Hedgehogs Quiz: Places, People and Key Facts

Some hedgehogs chew toxic toads and smear the frothy spit on their spines, and this hedgehogs quiz has stranger facts still. Meet the hedgehog that Beatrix Potter made famous, the one that became a speedy video game hero and the wild hogs of Europe, Africa and Asia.

Start Hedgehogs Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Spines
About how many spines does an adult hedgehog have?
Defense
What does a hedgehog do when threatened?
Anointing
What is self-anointing in hedgehogs?
Diet
What do hedgehogs mainly eat?
Story
Which author wrote The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle about a hedgehog?
Game
Which video game character is a blue hedgehog?
Winter
What do European hedgehogs do in winter?
Babies
What are baby hedgehogs called?
Milk
Why shouldn't you give hedgehogs cow's milk?
Pets
Which hedgehog is commonly kept as a pet?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: About how many spines does an adult hedgehog have?
Answer: About 5,000 to 7,000
The spines are hollow hairs made of keratin.
Q2: What does a hedgehog do when threatened?
Answer: Rolls into a ball
A muscle pulls its skin over its body.
Q3: What is self-anointing in hedgehogs?
Answer: Spreading frothy saliva on their spines
Scientists are unsure why they do it.
Q4: What do hedgehogs mainly eat?
Answer: Insects, worms and slugs
Gardeners like them for eating pests.
Q5: Which author wrote The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle about a hedgehog?
Answer: Beatrix Potter
It was published in 1905.
Q6: Which video game character is a blue hedgehog?
Answer: Sonic
Sega introduced him in 1991.
Q7: What do European hedgehogs do in winter?
Answer: Hibernate
Their body temperature drops a lot.
Q8: What are baby hedgehogs called?
Answer: Hoglets
Their spines are soft at birth.
Q9: Why shouldn't you give hedgehogs cow's milk?
Answer: They are lactose intolerant
Water and cat food are better.
Q10: Which hedgehog is commonly kept as a pet?
Answer: African pygmy hedgehog
It does not hibernate in warm homes.

Hedgehogs Quiz – Prickly Garden Visitors

Hedgehogs are small, spiny mammals found in Europe, Asia and Africa. Their backs are covered with thousands of sharp spines, and when danger comes they roll into a tight, prickly ball that few predators can open.

Hedgehogs are mostly nocturnal and snuffle through hedges and gardens for beetles, worms, caterpillars and slugs. European hedgehogs hibernate in winter, while desert species may sleep through hot, dry spells.

In Britain, hedgehog numbers have fallen sharply because of habitat loss, roads and tidy gardens. Leaving gaps in fences, wild corners and shallow water helps them. Beloved in stories, they also inspired Sonic the Hedgehog.

What This Quiz Teaches

Animal fans and gardeners will find these questions fun.

How hedgehogs defend themselves
What they eat
What self-anointing is
Which stories feature them
How to help hedgehogs

Did You Know?

Hedgehogs can travel 2 km a night.
Hedgehogs snore.
Hedgehog highways link gardens.
They resist some snake venom.
Long-eared hedgehogs live in deserts.