Quick Facts
- Type
- Mammal
- Size
- 20–30 cm long
- Weight
- 0.6–1.2 kg
- Habitat
- Woodlands, farmland, and gardens of Europe
- Diet
- Insects, worms, slugs, and other invertebrates
- Active Time
- Nocturnal
- Lifespan
- 2–5 years in the wild
Field Notes
- A hedgehog has around 5,000–7,000 spines, which are modified hairs.
- When frightened it curls into a tight, prickly ball for protection.
- In cold regions it hibernates through winter, its heartbeat slowing dramatically.
About the European Hedgehog
The European hedgehog is a small, spiny mammal common across western Europe, from woodlands and farmland to suburban gardens. Its back is covered with thousands of stiff spines, and when threatened it rolls into a tight ball, presenting an unappetizing wall of prickles to predators. Mostly nocturnal, it snuffles through leaf litter for insects, worms, and slugs, making it a welcome garden visitor. In colder regions it hibernates through winter, surviving on fat reserves. Populations have declined in places due to roads, habitat loss, and tidy gardens.
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