Hedgehog Coloring Pages

What Kind of Animal is the Hedgehog?

The Hedgehog is a small animal with a back full of spiky quills. They live in woods and grasslands in Europe, Africa, and Asia. You can also see them in Japanese zoos and pet shops now!

They have "mouse" in their Japanese name, but they are not related to mice. They are actually close relatives of moles and belong to a different group. They are a lot like moles because they dig in the dirt and look for bugs.

The Spikes are Really Stiff Hairs

The quills on their back are sharp, but they are a little different from a porcupine's weapons. They are actually body hairs that became hard. So the bottom part of the quill is soft, and new ones grow when old ones fall out.

They have normal, soft fur on their belly and face. The quills are only on their back and sides. That is why it does not poke you if you support their belly when holding them.

They Curl Up When They are Scared

When a Hedgehog meets an enemy, it first raises its quills and stays still. If it is still in danger, it curls its body into a ball.

When it curls up, its soft belly, face, and legs are all hidden inside the quills. Only the spikes show on the outside. Even foxes and owls have a hard time touching them like this!

Tough Big Eaters That Eat Bugs and Snails

The Hedgehog eats a surprising variety of things! Besides earthworms, insects, and snails, they sometimes eat frogs, snakes, and bird eggs. They also eat tree nuts and fallen fruit.

At night, they walk around twitching their nose to find food by scent. They rely more on their nose and ears than their eyes.

They Fall Asleep When It Gets Cold

The Hedgehog living in cool areas will hibernate in winter. They gather fallen leaves and grass to make a nest, curl up inside, and wait for spring.

If a pet Hedgehog gets too cold in a room, it might start to fall asleep too. So when you keep one as a pet, it is important to keep them warm.

Color the Quills in the Same Direction

The quills on Hedgehog's back grow pointing toward the back. When you color them, line up your strokes in the same direction to make Hedgehog look super real!

Try using brown and dark brown. Make the bottom lighter and the tips a little darker. This will make the quills look 3D!

Use Soft Colors for the Tummy and Face

Unlike the quills, the fur on Hedgehog's tummy and face is very fluffy. If you color them lighter than the back, they will look nice and soft.

Light brown or beige are great colors to try! Leave a little bit of white space to give the fur a soft, fluffy feel.

Don't Fill in the Eyes and Nose with Plain Black

If you color the eyes and nose completely black, the face will look flat. Try to use dark brown and leave a small white spot instead.

That little bit of white looks like shining light and makes the eyes come alive! Do the same for the nose—leaving a tiny white spot makes it look nice and shiny.

Don't Forget the Ears and Claws

Hedgehog's ears peek out gently from between the quills. If you use the same light color as the face, it will look natural!

There are small claws on the toes. Try coloring just the claws a little darker to make them pop!

Try Different Greens for the Grass and Ground

If your coloring page has a background, don't color all the grass the same shade of green. Use dark green for the front and light green for the back to make it look deep!

For the ground, a light coat of brown or gray is just right. If you color it too dark, Hedgehog won't stand out as much.

Closer to Moles Than to Mice

Even though "hedgehog" has "hog" in its name, Hedgehog is not a type of pig or mouse! Mice have front teeth that keep growing, but Hedgehog belongs to a different group called Eulipotyphla. Hedgehog is actually closer to moles! Their way of digging in the dirt to find insects is very similar to moles, too.

The Spines Are Really Stiff Hairs

The spines on Hedgehog's back are not special spikes. They are actually body hairs that changed over time! So even if they fall out, new ones grow back. Spines are only on Hedgehog's back and sides. Soft, normal fur grows on the tummy and face.

Spikes Up First, Then Curl Up If Still in Danger

When Hedgehog senses danger, it does not turn into a ball right away. Most of the time, it makes its spines stand up and stays still first. If the enemy comes closer, then it curls up like a ball. When Hedgehog curls up, its soft tummy, face, and legs are all hidden safely inside the spines!

Designated Invasive Alien Species in Japan

In December 2005, Hedgehogs were named a designated invasive alien species in Japan, and rules started in February 2006. Some pets escaped or were let go, and now they live in the wild in places like Kanagawa and Shizuoka. Hedgehog is not a native animal to Japan, so it is very important to take responsible care of your pet until the very end.