hedgehogs!

Ok, I don't use the word "cute" often, but man, there is no other way to describe these prickily little guys. SO CUTE!

We've come across about a dozen of these little hedgehogs in New Zealand, I thought they were a type of porcupine at first though. They are nocturnal, so we always come across them at night. Apparently they will travel several miles in a single night, sniffing around making little grunting noises, and eating every insect, slug, and snail in it's path!

When you pick them up they just roll into a ball and straighten their quills, so that anything trying to attack them will just get pricked and hopefully leave.

Here are some snapshots of a few that we've had fun observing and holding. Were gonna get one or two as a pet someday!