NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



temperature of the air of the cage was raised 

 artificially to 75° to 80° F., the Hedgehogs woke 

 up and began running about. 



When frequently handled and fed by hand they 

 became very tame, and would not coil up when 

 touched. It is impossible to give Hedgehogs their 

 liberty in a house, for, however tame they may be, 

 they wander away at the first opportunity. 



Hedgehogs are delicate little creatures, and need 

 to be kept in a warm, sheltered place and well fed, 

 or they will languish and die. They are very sus- 

 ceptible to a change of environment, and for a 

 time must be specially cared for. I have often 

 obtained Hedgehogs from the Karoo, and succeeded 

 in keeping them in health at Port Elizabeth for 

 years. 



The Hedgehog occasionally utters a low grunting 

 sound which sometimes rises to what might be 

 termed a grunting whine or squeak. 



When frightened, the South African Hedgehog 

 emits a grunting sort of hiss by ejecting air forcibly 

 through its nostrils. 



One of several captive Hedgehogs already referred 

 to which escaped, found sanctuary in a thick mass 

 of maidenhair ferns in my conservatory. When 

 busy one day turning it over in search of cater- 

 pillars, my hand was pricked by something sharp, 

 and at the same instant I heard a hiss. Taking it 

 for granted a snake had bitten my hand, I took 

 from my pocket a " First-Aid Snake Bite Outfit," 



30 



