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Whether you’re intrigued by wild hedgehogs or you own a pet hog and are worried about it someday making a quick getaway, you should know that these animals can indeed run fast—but not quite as fast as they are portrayed in popular video games! Hedgehogs can only reach speeds of up to 4 mph, which is much slower than foxes and other natural predators, which may raise the question of why these critters even run in the first place.
Read on to find the answer to this question and more information on hedgehogs and their athletic capabilities.
About Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are spiny mammals that are naturally found foraging in gardens and grassy areas in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They were introduced into New Zealand in the 19th century to make British settlers feel more at home. They flourished there but are now considered a pest and something of a threat to local wildlife. Although there are no surviving species of hedgehog found in the U.S., the extinct Amphechinus genus was once found there before they died out.
Most hedgehogs are nocturnal, sleeping for approximately 18 hours a day. They feed primarily on insects, but these omnivores will also devour certain mushrooms, plants, and vegetables. Although many do hibernate, not all hedgehogs do; it is dependent on temperature and food availability.
In the wild, hedgehogs live between 2 and 7 years, depending on the size of the species. Large species typically live longer than small ones. In captivity, they are expected to live 8 to 10 years because they are not threatened by predators.
Stamina Over Speed
If you’ve seen a hedgehog, it might be surprising to learn that they only reach speeds of around 4 miles per hour, which is the equivalent of a very brisk walk for humans and is considerably slower than other animals of the same size. Guinea pigs, for example, can reach speeds of 6 miles per hour.
While hedgehogs do not run especially quickly for their size, they make up for it in stamina. They can cover 8 miles or more in an evening, foraging for food, which is especially impressive when you consider they are only usually awake for 6 hours.
Why Do Hedgehogs Run?
Hedgehogs are prey to many animals, including foxes and badgers, which run at speeds of 30 and 15 miles per hour, respectively. It’s unlikely that hedgehogs run as a means of getting away from those predators. Other enemies include birds of prey, which can easily catch an animal moving at such slow speeds.
It is more likely that hedgehogs run to catch their own prey. They eat insects like beetles, worms, and caterpillars, and their top speed of 4 mph is ample to catch any of these little critters.
Furthermore, while a 4-mph top speed may not be enough to get away from a swooping owl or a chasing fox, it works well to move quickly from one piece of cover to the next.
Do Hedgehogs Like Running?
When awake, hedgehogs are active little mammals; running comes instinctively to them. That’s why pet hedgehog enclosures tend to have running wheels. Ensure that the wheel is a suitable size for your hedgehog. Typically, this means it needs to be at least 10.5” in diameter, and preferably 12”.
Do Hedgehogs Poop When They Run Fast?
Hedgehogs have a fast metabolism, so they poop a lot, and they don’t care where they do it. While it might seem like they concentrate their pooping efforts in the wheel, this isn’t necessarily true, but it is a problem if they do it consistently. The little pellets can rattle around while your hedgehog is active, and unfortunately, this tends to be at night when you’re asleep.
You can, at least to some extent, litter-train a hedgehog. Don’t put the wheel in the cage straight away. First allow your hog to develop a litter routine before adding the wheel.
Can Hedgehogs Jump?
Hedgehogs are surprisingly nimble little animals. They might not run especially fast, but they can cover long distances in a night. They can also ball themselves up and roll away, and they can climb, though it does get them into trouble sometimes because their center of gravity means that they struggle to climb back down inclines.
Like any animal with legs, they can also jump, though they do so rarely and only when they have good reason to.
Conclusion
Hedgehogs are not quick runners, but they are resolute and can cover more than 1 mile every hour that they are awake during the night. While they might look lightning fast, they can only reach speeds of about 4 miles per hour, which is a lot slower than similarly sized animals: The guinea pig reaches speeds of 6 miles per hour, for example. When called upon, hedgehogs can also roll into a ball, climb, and even jump.
Featured Image Credit: Erik_Karits, Pixabay
