At this point in time we realise that our fondness for the small animals exceeds our knowledge of them. So let's look at a few basic facts, habits and traits of the hedgehog. Hedgehogs belong to the family Erinaceidae and are distant relatives of shrews, moles, tenrecs and moonrats. In the USA the species Atelerix albiventris has been imported purely for being kept as pets, but not released into the wild. In the wild hedgehogs live for three or four years, though in good climatic conditions they may reach seven years.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal insectivores that hibernate in colder climates.
Though primarily having an invertebrate diet hedgehogs have been known to eat carrion, small birds or small mammals. If they come across eggs that are cracked or have been ejected from the nest they will eat these also. In a captive environment they will happily eat dog biscuits and the occasional piece of sweet soft fruit. Hedgehogs have poor eyesight so rely mostly on hearing and smell to locate and catch their prey. Having poor vision is not a problem as hedgehogs are nocturnal and spend most of the night searching for food whilst sleeping during the day.