A Description of Three Hundred Animals, 1768

A HEDGE-HOG is about the Bigness of a Rabbet, but more like an Hog; being covered all over with sharp thorny Hair, as well as on the Face and Feet, and those sharp Prickles covered with a Kind of Moss; but, when ‘tis angry, or gathers its Food, it strikes them by a natural Instinct, as sharp as Pins, or Needles. He has two Holes under his Tail to discharge his Excrements; which no Creature living has besides. His common Food is Apples, Worms, or Grapes. It is reported, that when he finds Apples on the Ground, under the Trees, he rolls himself upon them, until he has filled all his Prickles, and then carries them to his Den; never having above one in his Mouth. When it is apprehensive of Danger, it draws itself up as round as a Foot-ball; so that nothing appears but the prickles.