The Hedgehog

Probably appearing around 15 million years ago, hedgehogs are mammals now threatened with extinction (due to chemicals, urbanization, climate change, and road networks). A true ally to gardeners, the hedgehog feeds on pests such as aphids, slugs, snails, and more, while protecting itself from predators by raising its spines (over 5,000 of them) through a defensive “balling up” reflex. This small nocturnal animal inspired “La chanson du hérisson” (“The Hedgehog Song”), written by Philippe Chatel (sung by Georges Brassens) for his musical tale Émilie Jolie (1979), as well as the character Sonic the Hedgehog for the cult video game released in 1991 on the Sega Mega Drive.