The Magic of Woodland Creatures: Fun Facts Kids Will Love

The forest is full of wonder — and the creatures that call it home are more fascinating than any fairy tale. From hedgehogs that hibernate to foxes that communicate with over 40 different sounds, woodland animals are endlessly surprising. Here are some of our favourite fun facts to share with your little nature lover.

Hedgehogs

• A hedgehog has around 5,000 to 7,000 spines on its back — and each one is hollow!
• When threatened, a hedgehog rolls into a tight ball, turning itself into a spiky shield.
• Hedgehogs are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and explore at night.
• A baby hedgehog is called a hoglet. 🦔

Foxes

• Foxes can make over 40 different sounds to communicate with each other.
• They have whiskers on their legs as well as their faces, which help them navigate in the dark.
• A fox's bushy tail is called a "brush" and is used for balance and to keep warm in winter.
• Foxes are incredibly clever problem-solvers — they've been known to remember solutions to puzzles for months.

Owls

• Owls can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees — but they can't move their eyes at all!
• A group of owls is called a parliament.
• Owls have special feathers that allow them to fly almost silently, making them stealthy nighttime hunters.
• Some owls can hear prey moving under snow and will dive through it to catch a meal.

Badgers

• Badgers are excellent diggers — their underground homes, called setts, can have tunnels stretching over 100 metres.
• They are one of the few animals that wash their bedding, dragging old grass out of the sett to air in the sun.
• Badgers are surprisingly fast runners, reaching speeds of up to 30 km/h.
• A baby badger is called a cub.

Squirrels

• Squirrels plant thousands of trees every year — simply by forgetting where they buried their acorns!
• They can find food buried under 30 cm of snow using their incredible sense of smell.
• A squirrel's front teeth never stop growing, so they need to gnaw constantly to keep them short.
• Squirrels communicate danger to each other using a special alarm call.

Bring the Forest to Life

The woodland creatures in our Woodland Wonder Tales books are inspired by the real magic of the forest. Did you know that Hariët and Finnigan are based on real woodland animals with fascinating traits? Discover how woodland characters help children develop empathy — the real-life quirks of these creatures make them even more relatable on the page.

After reading these facts, why not curl up with a story and then bring your favourite creature to life in colour? Our guide to turning a colouring page into a story is the perfect next step. Browse our colouring pages too — your child can bring their favourite woodland creature to life in colour.