Numbers in the News: Real-Life Sonic

This December, the world’s fastest hedgehog returned to theaters in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Check out some facts about real-life hedgehogs.

January 20, 2025

1991

The year the first Sonic the Hedgehog video game was released. It was created in Japan—which has no wild hedgehogs.

17

The estimated number of hedgehog species. Most are native to Europe.

9 INCHES

The average height of a hedgehog standing on its hind legs. That’s less than one-quarter the size of Sonic.

5,000

The number of quills covering a typical hedgehog. When threatened, the animals curl up into a spiky ball.

5.9 MILES PER HOUR

The top running speed of a real hedgehog—not exactly the fastest animal alive!

THINK ABOUT IT: Sonic can run at the speed of sound, about 761 miles per hour. About how many times faster is Sonic than a real hedgehog?

_{SOURCES: SEGA CORPORATION, WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, THE GUARDIAN}

Skills Sheets (2)

Skills Sheets (2)

Lesson Plan (1)

Text-to-Speech