Harnessing Hibernate

By James Elliott, Tim O'Brien, Ryan Fowler
Price: $39.99 USD
£24.99 GBP

Cover | Table of Contents | Colophon

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Colophon

The animal on the cover of Harnessing Hibernate is a hedgehog, a small mammal in the family Erinaceinae. There are 16 hedgehog species in 5 genera, found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand. Some of these species are: the four-toed hedgehog (south-Saharan Africa); the long-eared hedgehog (Central Asia); the desert hedgehog (Africa and the Middle East); and the bare-bellied hedgehog (India). The different species vary in size, measuring 5 to 12 inches long and weighing 15 to 40 ounces. The most common domesticated hedgehog, known as the four-toed or African pygmy hedgehog, is smaller than its European cousins and has become a popular pet in many countries. The name hedgehog first came into use in the mid-15th century--"hedge" because it roots through undergrowth, and "hog" because of its pig-like snout. Hedgehogs are also known as urchins, hedgepigs, and furze-pigs.



The hedgehog's most distinctive feature is its spines, which grow everywhere on its body except its face, legs, and belly. When threatened, it rolls into a tight ball so that all of its spines point outward, presenting a barbed surface to predators. These spines are stiff, hollow hairs made of keratin and are very strong. Unlike a porcupine's quills, they do not fall out, except when a hedgehog sheds its baby spines during a process known as "quilling."



Hedgehogs eat small invertebrates such as frogs, slugs, and earthworms. Some hedgehogs have immunity to toxins and can eat bees, wasps, and venomous snakes. Being nocturnal, they sleep for most of the day in grass or under rocks or in holes in the ground. Although all hedgehogs can hibernate, not all do-hibernation depends on factors such as location, temperature, and abundance of food. In England, Bonfire Night celebrations on November 5th pose a particular risk to hedgehogs, who often sleep in the wood piles used for bonfires. Wildlife protection groups now warn the public to inspect their wood piles before lighting fires in order to protect hibernating hedgehogs.



The cover image is from J. G. Wood's Animate Creation. The cover font is Adobe ITC Garamond. The text font is Linotype Birka; the heading font is Adobe Myriad Condensed; and the code font is LucasFont's TheSansMonoCondensed.

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