Hedgehogs around Aotearoa are putting the finishing touches on their winter nests this week, lining them with dried grass and leaves to keep them warm, dry and safe while they hibernate until spring.

South of Christchurch many have already begun hibernating, slowing their metabolism down to just two per cent of its usual rate.

Did you know that during hibernation lines form along the hedgehog's jaw which enable scientists to calculate the age of a hedgehog, much like rings on a tree?

Read more about the lifecycle and history of hedgehogs in New Zealand at nzgeo.com.