An igel is a small mammal that belongs to the hedgehog family. Igel are typically found in gardens, fields and forests, as they prefer to live among the leaves and grasses. Igel are nocturnal creatures, they come out at night to hunt for their food, which mainly consists of insects, worms, snails and other small critters. They have a protective coating of tough bristled spines which they use to defend themselves from predators and to help them escape when threatened. They are solitary animals and usually live and sleep alone.