Hedgehogs are among the most familiar small mammals in Europe. They are distinguished by their thick coat of spines and ability to curl up into a ball when threatened. The front of the skull is quite blunt, so that the tip of the snout is unsupported and capable of great mobility.
Hedgehogs have powerful legs and strong claws and are good at digging.
The most distinctive feature of hedgehogs is their spines. An average adult carries about 5,000, each about 1 inch long, with a needle sharp point. Hedgehogs are protected by their ability to curl up into a ball. This is achieved by the presence of a rather larger skin than is necessary to cover the body, beneath which lies a powerful muscle covering the back. The skin musculature is more strongly developed around its edges than at the center and is only very loosely connected to the body beneath.