February 2 is Hedgehog Day. Apparently, Hedgehog Day dates all the way back to the Romans. They looked to see if a hedgehog saw his shadow in the moonlight. If so, he would return to his burrow and winter would hold on for six more weeks. At some point the Romans brought their beliefs to Europe and the beliefs melded into watching the hedgehog emerge from hibernation during the day. On a sunny day, he would see his shadow and there would be six more weeks of winter.
There are
17 different types of hedgehogs, including both domesticated breeds and wild
species. These are African Pygmy Hedgehog, Algerian Hedgehog, Egyptian
Long-Eared Hedgehog, Indian Long-Eared Hedgehog, European Hedgehog, Southern
White-Breasted Hedgehog, Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog, Amur Hedgehog,
Somali Hedgehog, Southern African Hedgehog, Daurian Hedgehog, Hugh's Hedgehog,
Desert Hedgehog, Indian Hedgehog, Brandt's Hedgehog, Gaoligong Forest Hedgehog
and Bare-Bellied Hedgehog.
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