Where do mice, lice, and hedgehogs live? - briefly
Mice occupy a range of habitats including fields, forests, and human structures; lice live as external parasites on mammals and birds, residing on their hosts’ skin and feathers; hedgehogs are found in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows where they can forage and nest.
Where do mice, lice, and hedgehogs live? - in detail
Mice occupy a wide range of environments. In natural settings they are found in grasslands, forests, and deserts, constructing nests from vegetation, shredded bark, or burrows dug into soil. Near human habitation they exploit buildings, storing food in walls, attics, and basements, and often share space with other rodent species. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in temperate, tropical, and arid regions worldwide.
Lice are obligate ectoparasites that live on the bodies of their hosts. Human head‑lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) reside on the scalp, clinging to hair shafts and feeding on blood several times a day. Body‑lice (Pediculus humanus corporis) occupy clothing seams and lay eggs on fabric, moving to the skin to feed. Animal lice, such as those infesting birds, mammals, or livestock, occupy feather, fur, or skin surfaces, completing their life cycle entirely on the host. Their survival depends on close contact between hosts and a stable temperature provided by the host’s body.
Hedgehogs inhabit diverse habitats across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Species such as the European hedgehog prefer woodland edges, hedgerows, and gardens, nesting in leaf litter, compost heaps, or burrows beneath logs. The African dwarf hedgehog occupies savanna and scrubland, using dense vegetation for shelter. All species favor areas offering abundant invertebrate prey, dry nesting material, and protection from predators. Seasonal behavior includes hibernation in colder climates, during which individuals seek insulated burrows or nests insulated by leaf litter.