By Amanda Green

Hedgehogs are cute, but they're not always cuddly. The small mammals have backs covered with spines, or quills, that can go from flat and bristly to straight and stabbing in a few seconds. How do you avoid starting off on the wrong foot with one of these little guys? A dollop of cottage cheese with crickets might help.

It's A Hog's Life

While some people keep hedgehogs as pets, most live in the wild in warm, wooded areas. Because hedgehogs are usually nocturnal, or active at night, they like to sleep in a covered area for most of the day. Cozy holes in the ground and bushes are popular hog havens. At night, hedgehogs hunt for food. These prickly creatures eat like hogs all right -- they like to chow down on an array of goodies, including insects, frogs, berries, grass roots, and mushrooms.

Even though hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, developing stomach aches or worse when they eat dairy products like cheese, they've been known to rummage through trashcans for ice cream leftovers. In fact, McDonald's redesigned its McFlurry containers when too many hedgehogs were getting stuck in them while trying to lick up ice cream leftovers!

A Spine Time

The spines on hedgehogs' backs look intimidating, but are actually just hollow hairs hardened with a substance called keratin. This is the same substance that our fingernails are made of. These spines aren't poisonous, but they sure can sting! When hedgehogs feel threatened, they often roll into a spiky ball or try to ram their spines into predators. In the video game Sonic the Hedgehog, the main character does just that. Too bad real hedgehogs can't jump high in the air or launch into a turbo spine spin to flee their attackers the way Sonic does!

Hog Mild

Hedgehogs certainly aren't the most huggable animals out there, but they tend to be mild-mannered, if handled gently. Many people who keep hedgehogs as pets say the prickly critters can learn to get along with cats and dogs. They may even communicate with them -- and their human caretakers -- in their own special spine language of snuffles, grunts, and squeals. Getting to know a hedgehog requires patience and understanding. A side order of garden treats doesn't hurt, either.