Hedgehog
Erinaceus europaeus
Quick answer
The European hedgehog is a small, spiny, nocturnal mammal famous for rolling into a tight ball of quills when threatened. A single hedgehog may carry around 5,000 spines, forages for insects and worms at night, and hibernates through winter. Wild hedgehogs typically live 2 to 5 years and are now listed as Near Threatened.
Hedgehog facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Erinaceus europaeus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Habitat | Hedgerows, woodland, and gardens |
| Lifespan | 2–5 years in the wild |
| Weight | 0.6–1.2 kg (1.3–2.6 lb) |
| Top speed | Up to 9 km/h (6 mph) |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Eulipotyphla |
| Family | Erinaceidae |
| Genus | Erinaceus |
Spines and defense
A hedgehog's back is covered in around 5,000 stiff, hollow spines made of keratin, the same material as hair. When threatened it rolls into a tight ball, tucking its soft face, belly, and legs inside a protective sphere of quills that deters most predators.
Diet and foraging
Hedgehogs are insectivores that snuffle through leaf litter at night for beetles, worms, caterpillars, and slugs, which makes them a gardener's friend. They have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing to locate prey in the dark.
Hibernation
In cooler regions hedgehogs hibernate through winter, building a nest of leaves called a hibernaculum and dropping their body temperature to survive on stored fat. They may wake and move nests during mild spells, so a hedgehog seen in deep winter is not necessarily in trouble.
Conservation
European hedgehogs were reclassified as Near Threatened as populations decline across much of their range. Roads, habitat loss, pesticides that reduce insect food, and tidy, fenced gardens all play a part. Leaving wild corners, gaps in fences, and shallow water helps hedgehogs thrive.
Frequently asked questions about the Hedgehog
How many spines does a hedgehog have?
An adult hedgehog has roughly 5,000 to 7,000 spines. The spines are hollow, made of keratin, and are not barbed or poisonous, unlike a porcupine's quills.
What do hedgehogs eat?
Hedgehogs are insectivores. They eat beetles, earthworms, caterpillars, slugs, and other invertebrates, which is why they are valued as natural pest controllers in gardens.
Do hedgehogs hibernate?
European hedgehogs hibernate through winter in cooler climates, surviving on body fat in a nest of leaves. They may briefly wake to move during mild weather. Hedgehogs in warm regions may not hibernate at all.
Why are hedgehogs in decline?
Hedgehog numbers have fallen due to habitat loss, busy roads, pesticide use that reduces their insect food, and gardens sealed off by solid fences. They are now listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
How can I help hedgehogs in my garden?
Leave a wild, leafy corner, cut a small gap in fences so hedgehogs can roam, avoid slug pellets and pesticides, provide a shallow dish of water, and check long grass before mowing.
