The myth about cute hedgehogs: why are animals dangerous to humans and whether they need to be fed. Meeting a Hedgehog - what the sign says, what the prickly animal symbolizes

Since ancient times, every person has known that meeting a hedgehog is a positive omen. Especially if he saw it in the yard or on the threshold of his house. This was considered a favorable sign for the owners.

It doesn’t count when people themselves brought or lured a hedgehog to their site. In order for joyful events to happen, it was necessary to meet this animal on your territory completely by accident.

People believed that the presence of a hedgehog in the house meant that there were no evil spirits nearby, and that the owners were not under any damage or other dark conspiracy.

See a hedgehog in the forest- a sign of the imminent fulfillment of a long-cherished desire. If you meet several animals carrying prey on their needles, the year promises to be favorable financially.

But seeing a dead hedgehog is not good. Be prepared for scandals and quarrels in the family, disappointments and insults.

There are many other signs about the hedgehog, both negative and positive.

For example, people believed that a hedgehog could act as a weather predictor. It emerges from its burrow after hibernation on Candlemas (February 15) to check the weather. If he did not hide back, then they expected a quick and warm spring. If the animal climbed back into the hole, then there was still prolonged cold ahead.

A hedgehog crossing the road is a good omen, promising good news. We were especially happy about this appearance of the animal in those places where it is very rare to see a hedgehog.

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Hedgehogs live not only in the forest, but also next to humans. Sometimes they are fed in the hope that the prickly guests will begin to catch mice and protect the area from snakes. The hedgehog evokes sympathy, so it’s hard to even imagine what his stay in the house could lead to. Even for a short time.

How does a hedgehog live?

The hedgehog belongs to the class Mammals, order Insectivores, family Hedgehogs. The ancestors of the hedgehog appeared on Earth a long time ago, many millions of years ago. The most common species in our country is the common hedgehog, which is found in dry forests, on forest edges, in ravines, steppes, in gardens and near human habitation. He is well known in the European part of Russia, Western Siberia and the Far East. The animal has poor eyesight and touch, but an excellent sense of smell and good hearing. In nature, the common hedgehog rarely lives longer than six years. Such hedgehogs are considered long-lived.

Hedgehogs do not like damp places near swamps. They don't like rainy weather either. In summer, the hedgehog hides in root hollows, under snags and in bushes. There he dozes during the day or is half asleep. The hedgehog becomes active during twilight and can navigate perfectly at night. In summer, he needs to eat a lot to accumulate a sufficient layer of fat. Before going to bed, the hedgehog suddenly stops eating. This is necessary so that the intestines can be cleansed. When the air temperature is below +10°C (usually from the beginning) the hedgehog goes into hibernation. Hibernation lasts 127 days. He wakes up in . The skinny hedgehog is very weak. He needs to recover quickly, so the hunt continues around the clock. In the southern regions, hedgehogs often sleep during dry periods.

In the spring, it is mating time for hedgehogs. The friendly family soon falls apart. Before the birth of the offspring, the hedgehog leaves the hedgehog. The cubs (there are often from three to eight) are born blind, white and completely spineless. A mother hedgehog communicates with her babies using sounds reminiscent of whistling. After one and a half to two months, the hedgehogs scatter and begin an independent life.

Hedgehogs will be born blind, with sparse, short, initially soft spines. The mother lies and feeds the babies like a cat, turning around, but as soon as you disturb her, the hedgehog will drag the entire brood hundreds of meters, dragging the cubs one at a time (P.A. Manteuffel “Notes of a Naturalist”).

What does a hedgehog eat?

The main food of hedgehogs is plants and animals. The menu includes fruits, roots, seeds, small mammals (for example, newborn hares), amphibians, birds, eggs, slugs, worms, insects and their larvae. Hedgehogs dig up sprouting acorns, feast on raspberries and even ripe melon. The hedgehog happily eats the eggs of black grouse, quail, woodcock and gray partridge. In gardens, it finds and eats garden snails, slugs, caterpillars and other pests.

While spending the night in the lodge after a hunt, I was awakened by the cry of a chicken in the barn. Illuminated by the lantern, she continued to fly into someone. It turned out that the hedgehog, jumping up slightly, stabbed her with his needles. Beneath him lay a chicken with its head bitten off. In the Askania-Nova Nature Reserve in Ukraine, where pheasants lived and bred in complete freedom, they noticed that the number of broods in recent years has become much smaller. Suspicion fell on ordinary hedgehogs. Early in the morning, an observer noticed a pheasant flapping its wings in the Cossack juniper bushes. She fought with a hedgehog, which pushed her off her eggs with its needles. Three eggs turned out to be bitten. Special observations later established that the rare pheasant nest accidentally remained intact. So many of these prickly robbers have accumulated in the park, having migrated there from the vast surrounding steppes. Organized raids of fox terriers, carried out in the evenings, resulted in the capture of over 30 hedgehogs, some taken dead, some alive, who were taken to the steppe tens of kilometers away. After this, the parks of Askania began to quickly fill with pheasants (P.A. Manteuffel “Notes of a Naturalist”).

This animal reacts poorly to sublimate, arsenic and hydrocyanic acid, but strychnine is dangerous to it. The hedgehog is absolutely not afraid of bee stings.

A hedgehog will come to the apiary, stand in front of the hive on its hind legs and, stretching out its sharp muzzle, poop into the tray. Bees do not like the wind, and even less so the spirit of the hedgehog. They fly out of the entrance and pounce on the enemy. The cunning hedgehog hides his face and waits for more bees to land on his thorns. Then he shakes himself off. Bees fall on the grass. Irrigated wings do not lift them into the air. And the hedgehog picks up crawling insects with its tongue. Or suddenly, curled up into a ball, he begins to roll on the grass in order to pin bees on needles and carry them to his nest (I.F. Zayanchkovsky “Enemies of Our Enemies”).

But there is no consensus on how a hedgehog meets snakes. The facts are so contradictory that it is difficult to say in what situations a hedgehog dares to fight with. Brem described in detail the condition of a hedgehog dying from a snake bite. True, the viper bit the hedgehog on the head.

Natural enemies of hedgehogs are foxes, martens, hawks, and large owls. Especially eagle owls, which are not at all afraid of prickly needles. Foxes and dogs often roll a prickly ball to a puddle in order to then calmly eat the straightened hedgehog.

They tell how cunning foxes hunt hedgehogs. The fox quietly rolls the hedgehog curled into a prickly ball from the steep bank into the water, where the hedgehog quickly unfolds and the fox easily deals with it. Some smart dogs do the same with hedgehogs (Sokolov-Mikit ov “Hedgehogs”).

Hedgehog quills

On the hedgehog’s back there is a “coat” of needles, and on its belly there is a coat of fur. Several old needles fall out every day, making room for new ones to grow. S.F. Starikovich writes that the spines of an ordinary hedgehog are no more than 3 cm long. The spines appear smooth in appearance, although they have longitudinal ridges and ridges. The inside of the needles is hollow, which reduces the weight of the prickly “fur coat”. To enhance their strength, internal partitions are provided. The surface of the middle part of the needle is yellowish. Quills not only protect the hedgehog, but also help it climb onto different surfaces. For example, if a hedgehog wants to climb onto the dining table, then he rests his feet on the table leg and his needles on the wall! When falling from a height, the needles soften the blow.

The hedgehog's spines turned out to be a kind of unit of measure. The common hedgehog has a tail and ears as long as its quill. It is interesting that the long-eared hedgehog (which lives further south) has longer not only needles, but also ears.

The circular subcutaneous muscle, which begins at the tendon at the back of the head, allows the hedgehog to easily curl into a ball in any danger. In order for the hedgehog to defend itself (even during sleep), the needles, directed in different directions, instantly stand on end. If you calmly stroke the prickly ball several times in the direction from head to tail, the thickened edges of the annular muscle gradually weaken, after which the needles drop.

Hedgehog in the house

The best place for hedgehogs to live is nature. Of course, it also happens that a poor animal dies under the wheels of cars or when attacked by a predator. The hedgehog feels good in zoo corners, where suitable conditions are created for him. Smoking is prohibited in zoo corners. Hedgehogs tolerate tobacco smoke very poorly, especially if they sleep curled up in a ball. Hedgehogs are very afraid when they ring a bell or... smack their lips.

Most people treat hedgehogs with their funny faces covered with gray hairs with sympathy. The hedgehog is easily and quickly tamed. He squeaks and puffs when he's calm. Rumbles and snorts when irritated. And the hedgehog often gets irritated. The desire to play with him like a kitten ends with the animal falling into a rage. He snorts and angrily attacks the piece of paper tied to a thread.

Hedgehogs soon get used to people and become tame. A whole herd of hedgehogs has bred in a neighboring pioneer camp. Every night they come from the forest to the pioneer canteen and feast on the food that the pioneers leave for them. Where hedgehogs live, there are no mice or rats.

I once had a pet hedgehog. During the day he climbed into the top of a dried old boot, and at night he went out to hunt for prey. I often woke up from the small stomping and noise that the hedgehog made at night. Two or three times I was able to watch him catch mice. With extraordinary speed, the hedgehog rushed at the mouse that appeared in the corner of the room and immediately dealt with it. Frankly, he caused me a lot of anxiety, prevented me from sleeping at night and behaved uncleanly. Despite all the troubles, we became very good friends (Sokolov-Mikit ov “Ezhi”).

Many people are convinced that hedgehogs can be kept in the house like a cat. Unfortunately, their expectations are often not met.

It must also be said that the current opinion about hedgehogs as mouse killers is not shared by all experts. Some argue, not without good reason, that a short-legged fellow cannot catch a normal, healthy mouse. In addition, more than once we saw how a nimble mouse was not afraid to lap up milk from the same saucer with a hedgehog enraged by such impudence (S.F. Starikovich “The Most Common Animals”).

Hedgehogs do not tolerate any sanitation well. No amount of pet shampoo will help here.

Having brought a forest dweller home, many, without even thinking that dangerous insects are hiding among the needles, put the little lodger in a basin and do sanitation with water and washing powder. Such a scrub does little harm to fleas and ticks, but for a hedgehog it is probably sheer torture, a torment of torment. After all, he is afraid of water more than fire! And a good intention turns into torture of the animal (S.F. Starikovich “The Most Common Animals”).

We had to deal with hedgehogs that appeared on the site several times. Once, a teenage hedgehog, picked up on a road, was forced to spend several hours in a bucket, the bottom of which we covered with grass. Until the hedgehog was taken into the forest. During this time, he ate a portion of minced meat several times and drank a little milk. He refused water. We did not notice any signs of friendliness. What was new to everyone was the need to wash the bucket for a very long time in order to remove the heavy spirit that remained after the hedgehog. Our dogs always instantly found hedgehogs by their characteristic smell.

If you decide to get a hedgehog, then perhaps these recommendations will be useful to you.

The hedgehog can be kept in a cage or in a room, providing it only with material for building a nest: tow, hay, dry leaves. The hedgehog makes a nest somewhere in a secluded corner of the room. The cage must be cleaned daily. In winter, when kept at room temperature, the hedgehog does not hibernate, but becomes more lethargic and often refuses food.

The hedgehog should be fed twice a day, giving him 25 grams of white bread and 100 grams of milk at the first feeding, 75-100 grams of meat with bone meal (1 gram) at the second feeding, and with fish oil (1 gram) in winter. Instead of meat, it is good to give mice, frogs, and insects. The hedgehog also willingly eats eggs, fish, fruits, soups, cereals, etc. The hedgehog should have water at all times.

In captivity, hedgehogs rarely reproduce (“Advice to an amateur naturalist”, edited by Professor P.A. Manteuffel).

In the culture of many peoples, animals were identified with any human character, endowed with positive and negative traits. Almost all animals were amulets for different houses.

The hedgehog, for all his external characteristics, was considered by most to be a positive character. And the signs in which the prickly animal participated were most often in a positive way.

Hedgehog in different countries and cultures

In England, the attitude towards this animal was twofold, and was most likely formed from certain templates. Hedgehogs love milk - this is a known fact. It was believed that the hedgehog came into the house at night to take milk from the cattle. Pregnant women were afraid of meeting him for the same reason - if you meet a hedgehog, the milk for the baby may disappear.

In Bulgaria, the small animal was considered cunning and smart, and endowed with such characteristics as:

Many merchants considered it an honor to meet him and give way, since after the meeting trade and constant income would definitely improve.

In China, seeing a hedgehog, especially for a military man, was considered great happiness, since it symbolizes a warrior, practically a defender of the light, fighting the forces of darkness and decay. To this day, this sign is viable, and the more needles the animal you meet, the more successful life will be.

The Slavs considered the prickly guest positive, and what’s more, they attracted small animals to their home. It was believed that it protected against crop failure, waste and disease.

Families with small children were happy to notice such a guest and did not allow the kids to offend him.

It was believed that it protects the family, protects children, and symbolizes healthy offspring.

Sorcerers used its skin to create a talisman against the forces of evil.

Symbol of protection

Protecting the house is the main task of the night prickly hunter, and if you hear the pitter-patter of feet in the silence, do not rush to get up and drive away such a guest. Mice and vipers are his favorite delicacy, which means that the house in which he lives, or where such an assistant comes to visit, needs protection. Rodents and snakes avoid such houses, which is what a caring owner needs.

And if we take into account the aura of other protection, such a guest should be honored better than another.

Previously, housewives treated them with gifts, goodies left overnight, and said:

“Yozh Yozhikovich, come to drink milk, drink milk, and scare away evil. Take the mice and rats, save the kids from the snakes, but don’t touch us.”

The best sign was to see such a guest relieve himself. This indicated that the house would be rich and hospitable. Many housewives kept hedgehog droppings as a symbol of prosperity. It was dried in canvas bags and kept in the place where the money was kept. Merchants took such bags with them for transactions; it was believed that they could not be deceived about the quality of the goods, and it would be possible to buy the goods much cheaper.

On the walls in the corner they painted a small prickly pet, which was supposed to attract living amulets to the home.

• If several hedgehogs, and as a rule, these are mothers with babies, began to systematically visit the garden, the owners of the house were waiting for offspring, this could be like the birth of children in the family, or the calving of livestock.
• Such guests were treated and invited to the house, the doors were left open so that they would take all the negativity out of the house.
• Needles from dead hedgehogs were used to damage and send illness. If the hedgehog died on its own, it was believed that the dark energy remained in it.
• The collected needles were kept and not touched with hands, so that, God forbid, they would not receive a portion of evil.

Sticking such a needle into an enemy's clothing could make him sick.

What does meeting a hedgehog symbolize?

In literature, fairy tales, and beliefs, the animal is endowed with positive traits, and most likely this comes from the times when people believed in otherworldly forces and lived by the laws of nature. Even today, all children's films and animation endow him with the traits of an honest and noble person, a defender of the weak.

What does a prickly baby you meet by chance symbolize, what to expect after such a meeting, and what to be afraid of?

Hedgehog in the forest

Meeting this animal in its natural environment is a great success. They are secretive and hunt only at night. During the day, a hunter who encounters a hedgehog will definitely come home with prey, the main thing is not to touch the prickly oracle. Mushroom pickers also expect a good harvest of mushrooms. To meet you in the forest while walking - you will definitely have a good time, you will not need joy, attention or money.

Meeting at the threshold

If in the morning you met a little guest when leaving the house, right on the threshold, a good day awaits you, both management and loved ones will come to meet you. Feel free to offer your own options for this or that matter - you will be heard.

If at the sight of you the hedgehog froze and curled up into a ball, some important matter will be resolved by itself.

If the animal is frightened of you and runs away from the threshold into the grass, your affairs will be solved if you apply your strength and patience to them.

An animal happy with your treat will bring good luck and warmth to your home. Don't let children offend him, explain why little prickly hedgehogs are useful, and offer to watch them.

• A sparrow hit the window - what does it mean?
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• Sneezing: interesting signs by time and day of the week – https://magjournal.info/primety/chihanie/

Meet a hedgehog on the road

If you meet a prickly animal on the road, do not scare it, let it continue on its way. Your fear at the meeting means only one thing - an unexpected good offer awaits you. This could be a promotion, or a marriage proposal.

If you see it to your right, get ready to meet people on whom your financial situation depends, do not hesitate to ask for a raise, a loan, or some kind of help. They will definitely help you. This also applies to business.

A hedgehog crossing your path signals that you should not rush and make decisions. You will most likely regret them. Think about all the steps, or freeze, if the choice is difficult - everything will be decided by itself. Avoid new people and acquaintances, they may not be what you want.

• If you see a dead hedgehog on the road, or a crushed hedgehog in a car, do not step or drive over it, as you will take on all the negative energy that it absorbs from a person.
• Previously, it was believed that needles absorb all the black essence that is invisible to the human eye, and the animal gives this blackness into the ground. Having died, he leaves part of this energy in himself, and you should not touch him.

On such a day, it is better to refuse serious matters, and even more so, treatment - it will not bring results, but only additional aggravating diseases. Do not lend money - they will not return it to you. Don't quarrel with your loved ones - you will be wrong.

If the animal died through your fault, you can take on some of its energy, and you need to be very careful in the next seven days. Try to drive or pass through that place less often; if you were driving a car and ran over it, wash the car before driving home, and do not use it for a couple of days.

Don't trust people who might ask you for help these days. And if you see that someone is in need, be sure to help yourself.

Hedgehog in the house

If you find a curious little sniffle at home, have no doubt that happy days have begun for you. An animal brings peace and harmony to the house. This means that relationships with loved ones need to be improved, and peace must be made with those who were offended. Don't wait for it to happen on its own, take the first step.

A hedgehog in the house is a very good omen, and try not to disappoint him, because the longer he stays with you, the more benefits he will bring. Don't try to delay him, leave the door open.

• When an animal starts coming to your house systematically, it is believed that it comes for the negative energy that unkind people brought with them, and not just for rodents, which is also not bad.
• If children unknowingly brought a hedgehog into the house and want to keep it, explain to them that it is impossible to keep a wild animal at home; it is very active, despite its external clumsiness.

The hedgehog is a totem animal. His strength is in freedom, and he comes only when the family really needs it. If you detain him by force, it will be on your conscience, and among other things, he may leave external negativity in the family that offended him.

The evening guest must be allowed out into the street with a treat and saying the following: “Hedgehog, hedgehog, don’t bother us, there’s a mouse in the field, there’s a mouse in the garden, eat them.” In the morning, place a treat on the doorstep from the street for him because he cleansed your house of troubles and misfortunes.

The animal comes to your house exactly at the moment when your home needs it, therefore, do not hold it by force, treat it, wish it health, thank you for everything, and let it go. It will bring you much more.

I am 30 years old, I have a little daughter. It would seem, how can I, a simple teacher, marry a millionaire? However, this story can instill faith even in those who are already despairing. I hope it inspires you.

My story begins with a failed marriage. I married for love at 19, and lived with an absolute loser for almost 10 years. At first he seemed sweet and good, but after the birth of the child he started drinking and turned into an alcoholic, spending my meager salary on vodka. Read the article.

Sneezing at night on this day means that you will have a busy working day ahead. . Hedgehogs - what they symbolize, signs, what they mean.

This sign can also mean unexpected news. . Hedgehogs - what they symbolize, signs, what it means to meet them at home.

Often this meant that the house would soon burn down. . Hedgehogs - what they symbolize, signs, what it means to meet them at home.

What does the sign of a dove on the windowsill mean? Any of them has thought about it at least once. Hedgehogs - what they symbolize, signs, what it means to meet them at home.

The owl is a mysterious bird that is nocturnal and can navigate well in the dark. The forest dweller is wise and elusive.

When determining the meaning of a particular sign associated with animals, insects, fish, etc., the reader must remember that it is absurd to expect any kind of prediction in an area where they are widespread. Attaching importance to meeting an animal where it is very common is simply stupid. Another site where you can read about the meaning of animal encounters.

Donkey- Meeting a donkey is unlucky, especially if the animal is coming towards you.

Bat- Hear a bat squeak or scream while flying - expect failure.

Cat- It is widely believed that a black cat brings good luck, although some claim the opposite. Killing a cat means incurring serious trouble (in ancient Egypt this was considered a crime and was punishable by death); stepping on her tail is also not good. If a cat suddenly leaves the house in which it lives, then its inhabitants should expect misfortunes.

Dog- If a dog howls at the moon or outside the house, then this foretells death somewhere in the neighborhood. In the East, a black dog is considered the embodiment of the devil, and students of classical literature will certainly recall a passage from Horace in which he says that a black dog with puppies was a bad omen. Some people believe that killing a dog is as bad as killing a cat.

Ferret- Meeting a ferret means ensuring success in your planned enterprise.

Goat- A lucky sign foretelling prosperity and acquisitions.

Hare- In general, this animal is considered unfavorable; At one time it was even believed that witches were hiding in the bodies of hares. If a hare crosses your path, it is unlucky and disappointing. If a hare runs past a house in the countryside, then you need to beware of fire. In some countries, the prejudice against hares is so great that messengers with important messages even turned back after accidentally meeting a hare on the road, because they were sure that they would not be able to complete the order.

Hedgehog- Happy animal. Meeting a hedgehog is good news, especially if he meets you halfway.

Horse- Meeting a pinto horse is fortunate, especially for the player, but if the tail first catches your eye, then someone dear to you will have a hard time. If lovers meet a white horse, then they can hope for happiness.

Lamb- Meeting one lamb means a calm life, happiness and love.

Mouse- If you are given a white mouse, then this is a sign of success and happiness in love, unless the giver is unaware of the meaning of his gift. A brown or reddish mouse is also favorable, although not to the same extent; but the gray mouse portends misfortune and danger.

Mule- An unlucky animal, meaning financial losses and betrayal of business partners.

Bull- A chance meeting with a bull on the road promises prosperity and the acquisition of money.

Pig- A pig is a very unlucky animal, and meeting one by chance means providing yourself with cause for concern. If a wedding procession encounters a lost pig on the way home, then the newlyweds' life together will be difficult.

Rat- One of the animals that the Roman augurs attached importance to.

White rat- a favorable sign, but black has a bad meaning. Damage caused by rats indicates misfortune for those in whose home they live. Roman historians talk about how rats decided the outcome of battles by gnawing the shields of warriors. If your personal belongings have been chewed by rats, then postpone all planned activities.

Sheep- Meeting a herd of sheep unexpectedly is a good sign, especially if they are heading towards you.

Squirrel- Meeting a squirrel is lucky.

Weasel- Seeing affection means family disagreements and worries.