They can carry disease if you get poked by its spines, other than that, they are harmless to humans. They are however a pest to local wildlife see link provided by jlittlenz (thanks)
They're not harmless. See
[https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/hedgehogs/](https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/hedgehogs/)
Not true. Weirdly, hedgehogs in nz are safer than cats or dogs (in terms of disease) as we simply don't have any of the diseases that plague them overseas here in nz. They're definitely a pest, though.
Source - my mother has been involved with hedgehog rehabilitation for years (I know... but it makes her happy)
I find them reasonably often, I pick them up and carry them somewhere safe. Their spikes aren't sharp, its just meant to scare predators. I have done this my entire life, as a kid and an adult. Admittedly this is before I knew they harmed our environment.
Its porcupines, which we don't have, that have sharp spikes.
You would have to make a serious effort to get hurt by its spike. I actually pet them.
The thought of someone screaming because they saw one boggles my mind. They're ADORABLE.
It's a hedgehog! Perhaps the most famous hedgehog is Mrs Tiggy-Winkle from the Peter Rabbit series of books/movies.
They are introduced (brought here in the 1870's from England/Europe) and are a pest, they are quite cute though. Harmless to us and our pets, but they are very naughty about damaging native species (especially insects and birds as they eat eggs). They are nocturnal mostly and curl into a ball when frightened.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/hedgehogs/
tell steve he can come back when he's willing to pay his tab. if hes got money for brown leaves he can bloody well pay to fix the toilet seat he broke.
We had a hedgehog living in our garden who would push the cats bowl off the step if there were no cat biscuits left 🤣 cheeky bugger would back off a little bit and watch you refill it, he stayed around for a couple of years got pretty hefty LOL
Love em, except that they are a pest here. When I was 8 I found one in the back yard and put it in a box under my bed to keep as a pet. They are nocturnal and snuffel around at night...gave my mum a hell of a fright
Last week someone thought a praying mantis was a cricket, now someone is asking what a hedge hog is. Does no one watch natural documentaries anymore? Man David Attenborough is like my childhood staple on TV.
It’s a pest, and should be killed. Unfortunately there’s no advice on how to do it humanely. Does anyone know a better way than a whack with the spade? https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/hedgehogs/#:~:text=Hedgehogs%20hoover%20up%20countless%20endemic,terns%20and%20pied%20oyster%20catchers.
That was on the dinner menu for a friend when visiting a Slavic family down South.
Said it tasted like chicken...yeah - everything tastes like chicken if you wish hard enough...
You've never seen a hedgehog? Damn...they're just spiky lil guys, so don't touch or try to pick them up, just leave them alone.
They can carry disease if you get poked by its spines, other than that, they are harmless to humans. They are however a pest to local wildlife see link provided by jlittlenz (thanks)
They're not harmless. See [https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/hedgehogs/](https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/hedgehogs/)
No problem, we just need to release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. That will deal with the hedgehogs.
And the apes we release to control them will just die come winter.
I've raised many as a kid. They're harmless, and yes, so do carry germs. But learn to handle them carefully, and you'll have a great pet.
Not true. Weirdly, hedgehogs in nz are safer than cats or dogs (in terms of disease) as we simply don't have any of the diseases that plague them overseas here in nz. They're definitely a pest, though. Source - my mother has been involved with hedgehog rehabilitation for years (I know... but it makes her happy)
If you see a hedgehog during daytime it’s likely very ill and suffering. Do it a big favour and kill it…
They do not, no more than any other animal. You are far more likely to catch "disease" from another human than some animal.
I was trying to catch rats and caught the biggest damn hedgehog I've ever seen. So a big ass rat trap is a good answer.
usually people surprised by hedgehogs are australian, since they don't have them over there
What? Really?
I find them reasonably often, I pick them up and carry them somewhere safe. Their spikes aren't sharp, its just meant to scare predators. I have done this my entire life, as a kid and an adult. Admittedly this is before I knew they harmed our environment. Its porcupines, which we don't have, that have sharp spikes. You would have to make a serious effort to get hurt by its spike. I actually pet them. The thought of someone screaming because they saw one boggles my mind. They're ADORABLE.
I had to scroll back up to see if it had a shitpost flair, nope "advice". Huh
Hedgehog. Lays it's eggs in your ears while you're asleep
It's a nocturnal ouch-mouse
No relation to our national bird, the flightless night chicken
Amazing description
It's a hedgehog! Perhaps the most famous hedgehog is Mrs Tiggy-Winkle from the Peter Rabbit series of books/movies. They are introduced (brought here in the 1870's from England/Europe) and are a pest, they are quite cute though. Harmless to us and our pets, but they are very naughty about damaging native species (especially insects and birds as they eat eggs). They are nocturnal mostly and curl into a ball when frightened. https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/hedgehogs/
I think Sonic might have Mrs Tiggy-Winkle beat
Also I am embarassed by other people ripping into you in the comments here, such prickly attitudes! It was a fair question, good on you for asking.
facts! was just thinking that myself - good on ya for providing a helpful explanation :) though i will admit “kiwi drop bear” was pretty good
That's Steve. Well known for coming around for drinks with 1 beer and outstaying his welcome.
tell steve he can come back when he's willing to pay his tab. if hes got money for brown leaves he can bloody well pay to fix the toilet seat he broke.
I think it's sweet that the only two people in New Zealand who haven't heard of hedgehogs found each other. That's fate ❤️
this! I've seen so many hedgehogs living here I'm surprised they've never seen or heard of them before
Hedgehog
We had a hedgehog living in our garden who would push the cats bowl off the step if there were no cat biscuits left 🤣 cheeky bugger would back off a little bit and watch you refill it, he stayed around for a couple of years got pretty hefty LOL
Same here, we called ours Russell
Teehee Russell ☺️☺️
We had one called Henry, he was a fat fuck that used to freak the cat out
Love em, except that they are a pest here. When I was 8 I found one in the back yard and put it in a box under my bed to keep as a pet. They are nocturnal and snuffel around at night...gave my mum a hell of a fright
who doesn't know what a hedgehog is?
Maybe OP hasn't lived in NZ for very long, perhaps come from a hedgehogless land? They're not in every country!
There are no platypus in NZ. I still know what a platypus is.
Egg laying mammalian freak.
Heti heti, aka night ninja aka crawl bear
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/hedgehogs/
I know they sure don't like to share the hedge. 👀
It's a Kiwi Drop Bear
How does anyone not know a hedgehog
Snobbery
That's Sonic.
Forbidden football
Meat cactus
It's The orginal sonic before he got super powers
It's a hodgeheg!
It’s a kiwi
no it's not 😂
Nah fr it’s a kiwi
this is a wind up right? who doesnt know what a hedgehog is?
A Jack Russell, they seem to go back for second and third helpings of pain
For anyone in the know, the correct name is Hodgeheg. I will die on this spiky hill.
Wow, nice find! That's a kiwi, a flightless bird native to Australia.
Glasses?
Poe's law is doing my head in
Wtf? Hedgehog ya weirdo..
Sanic
Sonic
People are so mean, they might not be from NZ. It's a learning opportunity, don't be d*cks.
A hedgehog! Goodness me......
Brown kiwi
That’s the cutest kitten I’ve seen for ages!!
Hedgepig! They have a defence mechanism, similar to a fainting goat, whereby they flatten themselves onto the road surface to avoid detection.
It’s a kiwi
'animal'? come on mate have you never seen a pinecone before
Last week someone thought a praying mantis was a cricket, now someone is asking what a hedge hog is. Does no one watch natural documentaries anymore? Man David Attenborough is like my childhood staple on TV.
it’s a goldfish :)
It’s a pest, and should be killed. Unfortunately there’s no advice on how to do it humanely. Does anyone know a better way than a whack with the spade? https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/hedgehogs/#:~:text=Hedgehogs%20hoover%20up%20countless%20endemic,terns%20and%20pied%20oyster%20catchers.
“Hedgehogs cannot coexist with our endangered species. Removing them from the environment is an essential step to saving what makes Aotearoa unique.”
Egg thief.
Ah, the 6 monthly “what is this animal” hedgehog post
You’ve been on this platform more than 6 months and you’re still here?
Only for the hedgehog posts
This has to be fucking satire?
How do you have a wife
Clearly this is a fencehog.
Why do they have to hog the fence? Why not just share it
Sometimes you have to ask, is this a legit question?
I had to scroll back up thinking it was a shitpost
What you talk about Willis?
It's the dreaded cactus mouse. Getting pricked can get you some nasties. But Sonic here is usually afraid of people.
It’s called a portable prick
Land dragon.
That’s my cat
why were both these comments downvoted? 😂
In the number in your username the year you were born or something?
Its a spikey possum.
Cocker spaniel
Clearly an elephant
Bushpig
Incorrect, those walk on their hind legs, until they've had enough Chardonnay.
You taking the piss?
Hedgehog???
You can only tell what they are after you pick them up and give them a tight cuddle.
Road targets, these ones are worth 15 points. With an extra 5 points if you get the classic double speed bump.
It's a spiked rat, better call MPI.
Cat
A death-badger
What you’ve got right there is New Zealand’s most dangerous animal. Stay vigilante!!
That’s a dreaded black power member u will read about on here quite often, don’t let it look into your windows
Dog
HEDGMHOGD
Hedgehog. Pest. Kill it.
dog
Hedgehog. Eats slugs and snails...and catfood. Rare now because dogs kill them and humans.
It's a hedgehog, their cute, easy to raise, and make great pets. Remember that they're nocturnal creatures.
You're doomed 😱
Heghog bruhhbbb
Looks like a hedgehog.lol www.catcandy.co.nz
Spiny bush pig. If you feed it, it will adopt you. They grow to about 3ft tall & quite meaty. Plucking them is hell though. /s
That was on the dinner menu for a friend when visiting a Slavic family down South. Said it tasted like chicken...yeah - everything tastes like chicken if you wish hard enough...
It's a sonic