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Hedgehog

South Africa’s unparalleled magnificence is a major draw card for foreign travelers looking for the perfect holiday. Ensconced in stunning natural beauty and boasting a favourable year-round climate, South Africa has gained an impressive reputation as being a fantastic safari locality. Big game viewing is a popular past time in these parts with the iconic Kruger National Park being one of the more sought-after destinations in the Republic. The Kruger Park is home to a staggering collection of diverse animals and is blessed with pristine surroundings and rugged terrain. Its dedication to the conservation of a wide array of wildlife is of paramount importance to South Africa’s continuous support of protecting a vast range of different animals. One of the more popular members of the Kruger’s animal kingdom is the Hedgehog. The Hedgehog is fairly recognizable throughout the world and is a favourite amongst children (and adults!) who are fans of the Sega video game, Sonic the Hedgehog. Largely nocturnal and solitary, the Hedgehog sports a distinctive fur coat that is covered in pointy, sharp spines, which offers it protection from other predators. Known as an insectivore, the Hedgehog has a body length of 200mm and a short tail of 20mm. Their diet consists mainly of insects including termites, slugs, grasshoppers, and beetles, but they are known to feed on frogs, lizards, and even the eggs of small birds. When hedgehogs give birth, their newborn babies are born blind, have closed ears, and are completely hairless, though beneath their skin, the signs of rudimentary spikes are already visibly. Hedgehogs prefer open wooded territories and open grasslands, but because of their penchant for being active at night, visitors to the Kruger Park hoping to catch a glimpse of these characters will need to organize a special night time game drive or a night time safari walk.