Estonian fauna - Hedgehog

The next stamp of the Estonian fauna series is dedicated to the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Hedgehogs are active in dusk and they are omnivores, feeding on insects and various other invertebrates as well as frogs, lizards, snakes and mice - anyone they can kill. Besides, they sometimes also eat berries and fruit. In finding food it mainly uses its sense of smell. It prefers deciduous and mixed forests as its living environment, as well as parks, gardens and old farm seats. The hairs on the hedgehog’s back have turned into thorns, which are an effective defence against enemies. Because of its peculiar appearance the hedgehog is a frequent character in folk stories, including the national epic. The hedgehog’s area of distribution is in the West and North Europe, including the British Isles, Fennoscandia, Estonia, Latvia and Northwestern Russia. In Estonia it occurs widely throughout the country. With the assistance of people it has spread also to several smaller islands. The next stamp of the Estonian fauna series is dedicated to the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Hedgehogs are active in dusk and they are omnivores, feeding on insects and various other invertebrates as well as frogs, lizards, snakes and mice - anyone they can kill. Besides, they sometimes also eat berries and fruit. In finding food it mainly uses its sense of smell. It prefers deciduous and mixed forests as its living environment, as well as parks, gardens and old farm seats. The hairs on the hedgehog’s back have turned into thorns, which are an effective defence against enemies. Because of its peculiar appearance the hedgehog is a frequent character in folk stories, including the national epic. The hedgehog’s area of distribution is in the West and North Europe, including the British Isles, Fennoscandia, Estonia, Latvia and Northwestern Russia. In Estonia it occurs widely throughout the country. With the assistance of people it has spread also to several smaller islands.