Eurasian Hedgehog Skull Replica

Description

Eurasian hedgehog skull replica measures 2.1 x 1.4 x 1.1 inches. The Erinaceus europaeus is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast of a California Acacemy of Sciences specimen. 2-part skull (separate cranium and mandible). 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The European hedgehog is from Western and Central Europe. It lives from Iberia and Italy north to Scandinavia. This insectivore is a common and widely spread animal. It survives across a wide range of habitat types.

This well-known animal is a favorite in European gardens. People love its cute look and its habit of eating garden pests. Populations are stable across most areas, but they are declining fast in Great Britain.

The European hedgehog has a basic body shape with simple limb joints. It looks brownish, and up to 6,000 brown and white spines cover most of its body.

The head and body length is 6.3 inches at weaning. It grows to 10 inches or more in large adults. This animal has an extremely short tail that is almost useless, measuring just 0.79 to 1.18 inches.

This species is omnivorous and feeds mostly on bugs without backbones. Its diet includes slugs, earthworms, beetles, caterpillars, and other insects. Its favorite bugs are millipedes and ground beetles. Some fruits and mushrooms supplement their diet.

These hedgehogs can live up to ten years, but the average lifespan is three years. Starvation during winter sleep is the most common cause of death. If alarmed, they roll into a ball to protect themselves. The sharp spines turn away many potential predators. Females usually give birth to four or five babies.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Eulipotyphla
• Family: Erinaceidae
• Genus: Erinaceus
• Species: E. europaeus
• Binomial name: Erinaceus europaeus
• Conservation status: Least concern

Many people enjogy seeing these darling creatures in their garden and it is especially wonderful to view the Eurasian hedgehog skull right next to the lowland streaked tenrec skull replica, the Hispaniolan solenodon skull replica, and the common treeshrew skull replica all together.