Hedgehogs are fascinating creatures that have captured the hearts of many animal lovers around the world. Everyone knows the name ”hedgehog,” but only a few know what baby hedgehogs are actually called. And that’s why we will explore the various names used to refer to baby hedgehogs in this blog post. And also drop some interesting facts and tidbits surrounding their terminology. So read on if you’ve ever wondered what baby hedgehogs are called. Or if you just want to learn one or two new things about them.
The Importance Of Animal Names
It’s important to give animals names because it helps identify them and makes it easier to keep track of them. This is particularly important when multiple animals of the same species are being studied or cared for. It’s also easier to refer to animals by name rather than by a general descriptor like “that hedgehog inside the cage.” Giving animals names will always help facilitate communication about the animal and improve conversation clarity. As such, giving distinct names to a group of hedgehogs, baby hedgehogs, male hedgehogs, and female hedgehogs makes it easier to differentiate them and refer to them specifically.
What Are Baby Hedgehogs Called?
Check out the list below to see the most common names for baby hedgehogs:
Hoglet
A baby hedgehog can be referred to as a ”hoglet” while multiple baby hedgehogs can be called ”hoglets”. The term “hoglet” is derived from two words – “hog” and “let.” “Hog” is derived from the word “hedgehog,” while “let” is a common term added to the names of young animals. Hoglets is the generally accepted name for hedgehog babies.
Piglet
The term ”piglet” is sometimes used to describe a hedgehog baby, and if there are multiple babies, the term ”piglets” is used. Though this term is usually reserved for young domesticated pigs, it can still be used for baby hedgehogs. This is because hedgehogs have the word “hog” in their name because they make grunting noises, have a snout that resembles that of a pig, and often root through the undergrowth, similar to how pigs forage for food. Baby hedgehogs are also physically similar to baby pigs. They both have round bodies, short legs, and snouts. As such, it’s pretty reasonable that hedgehog babies also retain the name of baby pigs.
Pup
Pup is a word that is often used to refer to both human and animal children. However, the word is more commonly used to refer to baby dogs since the term is a short form of the word ”puppy”. Nevertheless, the word is also sometimes used to refer to a hedgehog baby, especially in the United States. ”Pups” is the plural form of the word ”pup” and can be used to refer to multiple hedgehog babies.
Kit
A baby hedgehog is also often referred to as a ”kit”. If there are more than one baby, the term ”kits” is used. This term is typically used to refer to the babies of various animals, including foxes, rabbits, and ferrets. Baby hedgehogs are called kits due to their similar appearance to the babies of these other animals.
Hedgehoglet
A baby hedgehog is sometimes also called a “hedgehoglet,” while several baby hedgehogs can be referred to as “hedgehoglets.” The term ”hedgehoglet” is a compound word made up of ”hedgehog” and ”let”. This term is hardly used when referring to hedgehog babies today.
Urchin
”Urchin” is another term frequently used to refer to a single baby hedgehog, while the term ”urchins” is used when there are multiple offspring. The term “urchin” typically refers to a small mischievous, and raggedly clothed child. Hedgehog babies are occasionally called this name because of the quills on their backs, which gives them a somewhat raggedly appearance. Nevertheless, this term is hardly used to refer to hedgehogs and is commonly used to refer to sea urchins or other spiny creatures.
Why Do Baby Hedgehogs Have Multiple Names?
Baby hedgehogs have multiple names because the terminology used to describe them can vary depending on the context. For example, a baby hedgehog can be referred to as a “hoglet,” which is a generally accepted term for animal enthusiasts. On the other hand, an individual that isn’t knowledgeable about the animal kingdom may not know this word and may use a more popular literal name, such as “hedgehog pup” instead. Additionally, an individual that knows about the similarities between hedgehogs and pigs may prefer to call hedgehog babies piglets. While an individual that lacks this knowledge but knows baby hedgehogs are similar to baby pigs might call them kits instead.
Overall, the use of different terms to refer to hedgehog babies is mainly dependent on personal knowledge and cultural variations rather than any fundamental necessity for multiple names.
Conclusion
Baby hedgehogs can be called multiple names, depending on the region, cultural context, and personal knowledge of the individual saying the word. However, it’s important to note that all the terms mentioned excluding “hoglet” are not widely accepted or recognized names for hedgehog babies. Consequently, it’s best to use the term “hoglet” when referring to hedgehog babies since ”hoglet” is widely accepted as the ”real” name for hedgehog babies.
