Is a class of nocturnal mammals, belonging to the hedgehog family, widely distributed in Europe, Asia and Africa. The most striking feature of their rounded bodies is that their surfaces are covered with specialized spines of keratinized hair that stand up when they feel threatened, helping them defend themselves against predators. The eyes are small and divine, the nose is long, and the limbs are short but powerful, suitable for digging and climbing. The lifespan is about 3 to 5 years in the wild, and may be longer in captivity. It feeds mainly on the eggs of insects, worms, small mammals, and birds, and sometimes on plant foods. The spines are soft at birth, but they soon harden.