Baby Hedgehog With No Prickles Has To Be Massaged Daily To Stay Warm

Jul 26, 2019 by apost team

One particular little hedgehog in England might make you think you're looking at an avocado at first. Nelson is a hedgehog that's a little different than the others, in that he has absolutely no spikes. 

According to The Daily Mail, it isn't clear why Nelson does not have any spikes, but it is likely due to a genetic disorder. 

Hedgehogs usually have sharp prickles, and they are very important to the hedgehog. The prickles protect it from the very real dangers in the wild. When it senses danger, a hedgehog will roll up into a ball, and its spikes force predators to leave it alone. 

apost.com

On average, hedgehogs have 500 spikes, but because he is missing his spikes, the Foxy Lodge Wildlife Rescue took him in to protect him after the bald patches started forming.

According to the publication, the rescue believes that Nelson might eventually grow back his spike at some point but are prepared to keep him in their care if that never happens. Because he doesn't have any prickles, the staff at the rescue massage him in order to keep him warm. 

And by the looks of it, he doesn't seem to mind.

Have you ever seen a hedgehog without its prickles? Let us know in the comments - and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!