Summary: We prove that whenever \(d\) is a compatible metric for a hedgehog space \(J\) having more than \(2^{\mathfrak c}\) spines, there exists \(\varepsilon >0\) and \(x\in J\) such that the family \(\{B_d(y, \varepsilon): y\in B_d(x, \varepsilon)\}\) contains more than \({\mathfrak c}\) distinct sets. This result provides a negative answer to a question raised by J. Nagata in [Topology Appl. 91, No. 1, 71-77 (1999; Zbl 0926.54019)]. We also give positive answers to the same question under some extra conditions.