Hedgehogs are Nancy's latest arrivals

One of Kilcullen's newest residents can get a bit prickly if he gets upset, writes Brian Byrne. But otherwise he's a real friendly little fellow.

He's a baby African Hedgehog, just recently arrived at Nancy Poulain's Les Petits Pets shop, along with a little sister. And he was clearly enjoying the afternoon sun outside the River Cafe yesterday.

"They're bred for pets," says Nancy. "They can be house-trained, and eat cat-food and are very easy to look after."

The African Hedgehog is of a much lighter colour than the garden Irish variety.