Shumen Plateau Nature Park (excluding mosses). The faunal species reported consist of 350 invertebrates and more than 240 vertebrates. The mammals recorded are: badger ("Meles meles"), beech marten ("Martes foina"), fox ("Vulpes vulpes"), red deer ("Cervus elaphus"), roe deer ("Capreolus capreolus"), wild boar ("Sus scrofa") and soforth. There are also several species of avifauna. The reptile species reported include Aesculapian snake ("Elaphe longissima"), European green lizard ("Lacerta viridis"), Hermann's tortoise ("Testudo hermanni"), horned viper ("Vipera ammodytes"), spur-thighed tortoise ("Testudo graeca"), and wall lizard ("Podarcis muralis"). Animals, which are under different protection categories, reported in the park are: black woodpecker ("Dryocopus martius"), Eurasian eagle-owl ("Bubo
European hedgehog days they can roll into a ball. Weaning occurs at four to six weeks of age. European hedgehogs may live to ten years of age, although the average life expectancy is three years. Starvation is the most common cause of death, usually occurring during hibernation. If alarmed, the animal will roll into a ball to protect itself. Many potential predators are repelled by its spines, but predation does occur. Remains of hedgehogs have been found in the stomachs of European badgers ("Meles meles"), red foxes ("Vulpes vulpes") and pine martens ("Martes martes"). A large portion of these may be from