In the natural world, every new life has its own special magic, but few can beat the sight of newborn hedgehogs. In a photo that has quickly spread on social media, a mother hedgehog is surrounded by seven of her newborn cubs – affectionately known as hoglets.
These little ones, still without fully developed quills, were born literally hours before the picture was taken. Although they are fragile and almost transparent, their first signs of a protective shell are already visible – proof that nature wastes no time when it comes to survival.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals that rely on their sense of smell and hearing, and the young spend their first few weeks hidden, feeding on their mother’s milk and developing their protective shell. After four to six weeks, they are ready to live independently.
This image reminds us how important even the tiniest creatures are to the balance of nature – and how much beauty there is in the simple moments of life.