Get low down with a hog

Wendy Evans is your guide to photographing these little mammals as they emerge from hibernation

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While some animals have names that leave you scratching your head, that's not the case with the hedgehog. The two parts of the name are derived from Middle English words, as the animal could often be found in hedgerows and its cute snout resembled that of a pig. Thus, hedgehog.

If understanding the etymology is easy, photographing them is less so as they are primarily nocturnal and tend to hibernate in winter. They are easily spooked and roll into a tight ball when threatened, tucking in their feet and face, leaving just the spiky quills. These are controlled by two large muscles which can direct which way the quills point.