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"This is not to say that significant numbers of hedgehogs do not still hibernate. ... warm and food is readily available it may be that hedgehogs hibernate for less time or possibly not at all ...
Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal, with some species also active during the day. Hedgehogs sleep for a large portion of the day under bushes, grasses, rocks, or most commonly in dens dug underground. All wild hedgehogs can hibernate, though the duration depends on temperature, species, and abundance of food.
They do not hibernate in the wild, and if one of these African hedgehogs begins hibernation in response to lowered body temperature, the result can be its death. The process is easily reversed by warming, if caught within a few days of onset.
With its milder winters, New Zealand hedgehogs hibernate for only three months of the year so do not need to put on so much weight in autumn as their ancestors. In northern New Zealand, many hedgehogs do not hibernate at all. One of New Zealand's pioneer hedgehogs probably had faulty teeth for this feature is found in about 50% of today's animals.
In central and southern New Zealand, hedgehogs hibernate for about three months of the year but few hibernate at all in the warmer northern parts of the country. Wild pigs, dogs, cats [citation needed] are predators of the hedgehog, and the flightless, endemic weka and pūkeko [citation needed] will prey on nestlings. [2]
Hedgehogs who do successfully bond with their owners can become snuggly and affectionate, but it takes time and hands-on effort! A hedgie being held by its owner Lena Si via Shutterstock
Ancient people believed that swallows hibernated, and ornithologist Gilbert White documented anecdotal evidence in his 1789 book The Natural History of Selborne that indicated the belief was still current in his time. It is now understood that the vast majority of bird species typically do not hibernate, instead utilizing shorter periods of ...
Bears and many other animals like skunks, raccoons, and even birds do go into a deep sleep - torpor - but for much shorter amounts of time; only up to a few hours or a day at most. As they sleep ...