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So the can curl up
The loose skin of a hedgehog enables the hedgehog to ball up, as well as allows the quills to move. Quills can be raised (pointy ends up), lowered (all smooth), or halfway in between.
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoTo raise their spines, and keep them rigid.
They have back muscles because when threatened they have the ability to roll into a tight ball. These muscles act as a pull string that close up tight spreading the spines.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoQuills are modified hairs, so they will shed. They become loose over time, dull, among other things - and need to be replaced.
Losses of large numbers of quills can be an indicator of mites or skin problems.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe loose skin is so that they can curl into balls; the muscles are to raise their quills to use as a defense.
Wiki User
∙ 6y agothey have loose skin so they can curl up in balls. i don't know the back muscels yet though:) but their yah go. hahh.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoSo they can roll in a ball.
The muscles allow them to raise their quills and keep them rigid.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoTo raise their quills, keep them in place, and to roll into a ball.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoSo that they can curl into a ball.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoTo protect themselves from predators.
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Why do hedgehogs shed their quils?
Because they quills become loose, and dull.
Are hedgehogs quills poisonous?
No, hedgehogs quills are not poisonous. :) newtest3
Do hedgehogs molt?
I currently have a hedgehog and the only thing somewhat relevant to "molying" would be that she loses a quill every now and then. Hedgehogs do not lose all their quills at once over night. They will occasionally lose one or two.
What is a hedgehogs protection?
It has quills.
What are hedgehogs quills made from?
Hedgehog quills are modified hairs.
What are baby hedgehogs?
Baby hedgehogs are known as piglets or pups, and are small hedgehogs that have softer quills or spikes when born, then go through different sets of quills through different ages of life to get their adult quills.
Can you trim a hedgehogs quills?
It's possible, as quills are modified hairs - but hedgehogs have about 6,000 on their body and it would be a little pointless.
Do hedgehogs have a shedding season?
No. After the babies quilling, the adult quilling is continuous. Old quills are shed every day and new ones come through.
Does hedgehogs have quills that can hurt you as bad as a porcupine?
No.
Why do hedgehog have spikes on their body?
Hedgehogs havespikes [quills] because in the wild they use it to protect themselves. Hedgehogs do not have sharp as quills as porcupines. They have softer, blunter quills. Hedgehogs shed their quills when they become older.
Do hedgehogs shed their quills?
Yes. An adult hedgehog typically has anywhere near 6,000 quills. However, these are much different from Porcupine quills. While they are still modified hairs, hedgehog quills are not barbed, venomous, nor can they be projected at a victim.
Do hegdehogs have quills?
Hedgehogs do have quills for defense, that is way it is recommended that you wear leather gloves when handling your pet hedgehog.
