Did you know that Sonic's original name was Mr. Needlemouse? Or that baby hedgehogs are called hoglets? Learn these fun facts and more with these Sonic the Hedgehog Fun Fact and learn all about the adorable real-world creatures that he's based on!
First Appearances
Sonic first appeared in a video game called Rad Mobile as an ornament hanging on the rear-view mirror of a car. Sonic was also the first video game character to be represented in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
What’s in a Name?
Sonic’s name was originally Mr. Needlemouse! His name was changed to Sonic because the word represents speed, which is the main focus of the game design. There is also a genome called “Sonic hedgehog” that was named after Sonic the Hedgehog!
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Inspirations
Sonic is blue in color because the Sega logo is blue and his shoes are red because Santa Clause wears red, and he is one of the most recognizable characters in the world! Dr. Eggman’s design was inspired by none other than President Theodore Roosevelt and Humpty Dumpty. The aesthetics of Green Hill Zone are based on the geography of California.
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Sonic in a Band
The first Sonic game featured Sonic in a band! The sound test was scrapped when it took up too much space. It was ultimately replaced with the Sega Chant at the beginning of the game, which takes up 1/8th of the memory on the cartridge.
It’s All Up From Here
There are only six Chaos Emeralds in the first game. Sonic 2 increased the number to seven, and that has been the standard ever since (with a few exceptions). The first game is also the only Classic Sonic game in the main series to not have the final boss battle take place in space!
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Sink or Swim
Sonic cannot swim because Yuji Naka mistakenly thought hedgehogs could not swim!
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Hedgehog facts you never knew!
It’s Nearly Impossible to Unroll a Curled-Up Hedgehog
If you come across a hedgehog that’s rolled into a tight ball, leave it be. It’s virtually impossible to unroll one, anyway. When a hedgehog feels relaxed and unthreatened, he’ll unroll on his own.
Baby Hedgehogs Are Called Hoglets
Hoglets remain with their mothers for just four to seven weeks. After that, the animals are largely solitary. Their lifespan is about 7 to 10 years.
Baby hedgehog!
Groundhog Day Used to Be Hedgehog Day
In fact, the tradition of using hedgehogs to predict when spring would arrive started in Germany. When German settlers arrived in Pennsylvania, there were no hedgehogs around so they had to settle for groundhogs.
Hedgehogs Like to Make Spitballs
Hedgehogs have a tendency to lick new scents and then form a similarly scented spit ball that they use to coat their spines. It’s thought this may be a way for the animals to take on a new scent, thereby “camouflaging” themselves from predators’ sharp noses. They also use this spit-ball process to spread saliva with plant poison (to which they’re immune) over their spikes, offering them even more protection against predators.
Hedgehogs are easily recognized by their spines, which are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin
Hedgehogs Are Primarily Nocturnal
Some hedgehog owners learned the hard way that these creatures like to run, search for food and play at night, while you’re probably trying to sleep. Their activity levels also depend on their climate. In cold weather, wild hedgehogs hibernate, and in hot climates they aestivate (similar to hibernation but during hot, dry spells). If they live in temperate regions, hedgehogs will stay active year-round.
Hedgehogs Make a Wide Variety of Noises
It’s often thought that hedgehogs are silent creatures, but this is a myth. They may grunt, squeal, snort and snuffle, as well as click or hiss. When they’re happy and content, hedgehogs purr or whistle.
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