Introduction
Near the torrent, humid and cool, there is fresh grass, worms and slugs that serve as food for small mammals that are difficult to spot. Their traces are not as obvious as those of wild boar.
This is the common hedgehog (photo). They are nocturnal, although they can sometimes be active during the day. They dig burrows for shelter and hibernate when climatic conditions become harsher.
They have spines all over their bodies. These spines are modified hairs that protect them. When threatened, they can roll themselves up into a ball of spines.
To communicate, they emit a wide range of sounds, from grunts to loud squeals. They are carnivorous, feeding mainly on worms, insects, snails, slugs and other small vertebrates such as frogs and snakes. They can also supplement their diet with acorns and fruit.
Currently, the species is suffering a sharp decline due to habitat loss and, above all, road traffic collisions.