The hedgehog is one of our most instantly recognisable native mammals, as it is the only British mammal to have spines (2). They are also characterised by their fairly short tails, long legs and small ears (6). Young hedgehogs are born with a coat of soft, white spines, which are underneath the skin to protect the mother during birth, but emerge after a few hours (7). A second coat of dark spines emerges after about 36 hours, and later on a third set develops. By 11 days of age the young hedgehogs can curl into a ball, and after 14 days the eyes open (8).

You can't mistake hedgehogs with other animals: they have needles on their back. Adult hedgehogs have around 8000 needles. At night, they hunt small animals, from insects to small predators. They also eat eggs, reptiles, fruit and mushrooms. They often make a lot of noise when they eat and you can hear them smacking from far away. During the summer, hedgehogs sleep in protected places during the day. They hibernate in the winter, sleeping day and night. With the exception of Texel and Langeoog, it took a long time before hedgehogs were found on the Wadden Islands. However, slowly but surely they have spread to all of the islands.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, and can travel up to 1-2 km per night whilst foraging for food. They have a broad diet, including worms, slugs, caterpillars and many other invertebrates (2), as well as frogs, berries (6) and the eggs and chicks of ground-nesting birds (2). Due to a variable resistance to adder venom, hedgehogs can even attack and eat adders (7). Hedgehogs are good swimmers, can run fairly quickly, and are well known for their habit of rolling into a tight ball when threatened (8). They hibernate in winter in a nest made of leaves, typically under sheds or log piles. They emerge from hibernation around Easter time, and breeding occurs between April and September. Females give birth to 4-5 young per litter, and are left to raise the young alone (2). Like other hedgehogs, this species has the peculiar habit of 'self-anointing', in which the hedgehog produces a large amount of foamy saliva and licks the saliva over its spines. The purpose of this behaviour is a mystery (9), but it can be triggered by strong smells, new foods, and the presence of other hedgehogs (7).

Erinaceus europaeus is endemic to Europe (including European Russia), with a global distribution extending from the British Isles and the Iberian peninsula, westwards through much of western to central Europe; and from southern Fennoscandia, and the northern Baltic to north-west Russia. It was introduced recently to the Azores (Portugal); the species was recorded there in the 1990s (R. Hutterer pers. comm. 2007). In the Mediterranean, it occurs in Portugal, France (including Corsica), Spain and Italy (including Sardinia and Sicily but not present on Malta).

Erinaceus europaeus (European hedgehog) is commonly found across Europe and into central Asia. Native to this region, it can be found from the Archipelago of the Azores and as far east as Khazakstan. It is commonly seen in northern Europe, as far as Scandinavia. While it is generally not found south of the Mediterranean Sea, it has been seen in Lebanon. Erinaceus europaeus is also found in New Zealand, where they were introduced in the late 1800s.

Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native ); australian (Introduced )

This species is found in western Europe (9). In Britain it is widely distributed, and has been introduced to several islands (5).

The European hedgehog is a small, round animal with short legs that raise it about 1 inch above the ground. It is plantigrade and has 5 well developed pads and claws on each foot. The first and fifth toes are smaller and weaker than the second, third, and fourth toes. Its coat is white and brown and consists of 3/4 to 1 inch spines, arranged in a radiating pattern, that cover all but its cheeks, throat, stomach, and limbs. Areas not covered in spines are covered in a coarse hair that is yellow-brown in color, though white hedgehogs have been seen. It has an elongated, conical head and snout, a small braincase, a short neck and tail, and well developed eyes and ears. The length of its body ranges from 135 to 265 mm, and males are usually slightly larger than females. The tail is about 20 mm long.

The spines covering the European hedgehog's body have white tips and bases and are covered with alternating brown and black bands. They are hollow and have longitudinal grooves, which decrease their weight. Spines are made of keratin and are attached to the skin in a similar way to hair. Each spine grows from a follicle in the skin that is attached to a small muscle (arrector pili) that is used for piloerection. When a hedgehog rolls into a ball, all of the spines can be erected simultaneously, which is made possible by the panniculus carnosis, a sheet of muscle that covers its back. An adult hedgehog usually has around 5,000 spines covering its body.

Erinaceus europaeus has lacteal and permanent teeth. The permanent dentition features widely space upper incisors such that the lower incisors fit between them. The dental formula for E. europaeus is 3/2, 1/1, 2/3, 3/3.

Range mass: 800 to 1200 g.

Range length: 135 to 165 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male larger

Average basal metabolic rate: 2.434 W.

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

The European hedgehog is found in temperate fields, especially field edges and hedgerows. They prefer drier areas that are not thickly wooded and are occasionally found in scrub and sand dunes. European hedgehogs are commensal and are often found in home gardens, cemeteries, parks, agroecosystems, and other areas that provide appropriate places for hibernation. It commonly occupies elevations from sea level to 2400 m throughout its geographic range.

Range elevation: 0 to 2400 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; forest ; scrub forest

Other Habitat Features: suburban ; agricultural ; riparian

The hedgehog occupies a range of lowland habitats with enough cover to allow nesting (9). It is common in parks, farmland and gardens (2).

European hedgehogs are omnivorous, but predominantly feed on insects. They favor beetles, ants, bees, wasps, earwigs, butterflies and moths. Hedgehogs may also eat cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers, snails, eggs, lizards, snakes, frogs, small rodents, and carrion.

Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; eggs; carrion ; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods; terrestrial worms

Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit

Primary Diet: omnivore

Animal / parasite / ectoparasite / blood sucker
adult of Archaeopsylla erinacei erinacei sucks the blood of ear of Erinaceus europaeus

Animal / pathogen
Foot and Mouth virus (FMD) infects Erinaceus europaeus
Other: minor host/prey

Animal / parasite / ectoparasite / blood sucker
larva of Ixodes hexagonus sucks the blood of face of Erinaceus europaeus
Other: major host/prey

Animal / parasite / ectoparasite / blood sucker
Ixodes ricinus sucks the blood of Erinaceus europaeus

Hedgehogs are omnivorous, feeding on a wide variety of animal (especially insect) and plant material. They may help control insect pest populations in some areas. Hedgehogs are hosts to a variety of parasites including nematodes (Crenosoma striatum, Eucoleus aerophilus, Capillaria erinacei, Capillaria ovoreticulata and Capillaria spp.), trematodes (Brachylaemus erinacei), acanthocephalans (Oliganthorhynchus erinacei), ticks (Ixodes hexagonus), and fleas (Archeopsylla erinacei).

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

• Ixodes hexagonus
• Crenosoma striatum
• Eucoleus aerophilus
• Capillaria erinacei
• Capillaria ovoreticulata
• Capillaria
• Brachylaemus erinacei
• Oliganthorhynchus erinacei
• Archeopsylla erinacei

Predators of the Erinaceus europaeus include dogs, foxes, snakes, large owls, and badgers. To protect themselves, hedgehogs have the ability to curl into a defensive ball that exposes only erected spines. In order to form into a ball, they constriction the panniculus carnosus muscle. When this occurs, the muscles associated with each spine contract, leaving all of the hedgehog’s spines erect. Some predators, such as badgers and foxes, may be able to gain access to the hedgehog by wedging their noses into the crease where the top and bottom of the spiny coat meet. Predators have also been known to drop a balled hedgehog from a height so as to shock or injure the hedgehog long enough for them to take advantage of its exposed underbelly.

Known Predators:

• badgers Meles meles
• foxes Vulpes vulpes
• owls Strigidae
• dogs Canis lupus
• snakes Serpentes

Erinaceus europaeus (hedgehog) preys on:
Isoptera
Coleoptera
Hymenoptera
Auchenorrhyncha
Pteroclididae
Columbidae
Alaudidae
Araneae
Cicindelidae
Camponotus pennsylvanicus
Rodentia

Based on studies in:
India, Rajasthan Desert (Desert or dune)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Erinaceus europaeus (hedgehog) is prey of:
Felis silvestris libyca
Canis lupus familiaris

Based on studies in:
India, Rajasthan Desert (Desert or dune)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

European hedgehogs are not particularly noisy, and make mostly grunting, snorting, and hoarse squeaking sounds. Adults are vocal during mating, while feeding, and occasionally when captured. Young may squeak and whistle while in the nest. Due to its nocturnal behavior, European hedgehogs rely heavily on their senses of smell and hearing. In addition to having a well developed sense of smell, they, like many mammals, have a Jacobson's organ in their palate. The organ may have a role in social behavior as both male and female hedgehogs have a variety of scent glands. While the mechanisms of hearing in E. europaeus have not been well studied, research on a related species, the Long-eared hedgehog, has found it capable of processing high-frequency sounds up to 45kHz.

Communication Channels: tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: pheromones ; scent marks

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

In the wild, European hedgehogs can live up to six years. In captivity, they can live as many as ten years.

Range lifespan

Status: wild: 8 (high) years.

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: 11.7 (high) years.

Typical lifespan

Status: wild: 6 (high) years.

Typical lifespan

Status: captivity: 10 (high) years.

Maximum longevity: 11.7 years (captivity) Observations: On average this animal reaches sexual maturity 3 months earlier in captivity. In the wild they appear to live up to 7-8 years. One captive specimen lived for 11.7 years (Richard Weigl 2005).

European hedgehogs are solitary and non-territorial. They begin the mating process when a male encounters a female, at which time the male encircles the female while she lowers her head and makes a variety snorts, grunts, and hisses. If the male is successful in courting the female, he attempts to mount her several times. After numerous copulations, the male leaves the female, and does not provide any parental care to his offspring. He continues to roam alone and attempts to mate with other females until he begins preparing for hibernation. Males and females have multiple mates each season.

Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)

Erinaceus europaeus begins mating in late spring (April or May) when the the animal emerges from hibernation. Males, which emerge 3 to 4 weeks before females, expand their home range during mating season to increase chances of finding a mate. When a male finds a mate, he circles her while she lowers her nose and becomes audibly defensive. The male may circle for several hours, making several attempts to mount. If the female continually rejects the male, he eventually leaves to find a receptive female. If she accepts him, she flattens her spines and lowers herself to the ground, which gives the male better access. To copulate, a male climbs onto a female's back and uses his teeth to hold onto her shoulder. Gestation last for about 35 days. Females give birth to four to six offspring per litter, and often have two litters per year. The second litter, which is born later in the year, has a reduced chance of surviving winter. New borns are about 3 inches long and weigh 0.3 to 0.9 oz. At birth, E. europaeus does not appear to have spines, which are concealed beneath their fluid filled skin. 24 hours after birth, the fluid is absorbed and the spines are revealed, and, 2 to 3 days later, the young’s musculature is developed enough to allow it to hold the spines erect. These white adolescent spines are replaced by darker spines after about 1.5 days. Pigmented adult spines replace the first two coats after about 2 to 3 weeks, at which time young begin to open their eyes and learn how to roll into a ball. Young are weaned by 4 to 6 weeks old, after which they become independent of parental care, and are able to mate by about 1 year.

Breeding interval: Hedgehogs breed seasonally, and can have up to two litters per season

Breeding season: April to September

Range number of offspring: 1 to 9.

Range gestation period: 30 to 49 days.

Average birth mass: 14.7 g.

Range weaning age: 4 to 6 weeks.

Range time to independence: 4 to 6 weeks.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 253 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 253 days.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); viviparous

Average birth mass: 14.7 g.

Average number of offspring: 1.5.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

Sex: male: 253 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 253 days.

Weaning usually occurs 6 weeks after birth, at which time young European hedhogs begin venturing out of the nest with their mother. They begin to forage and create an overwintering nest on their own. Most individuals are sexually mature by the first spring after their born.

Parental Investment: precocial ; female parental care ; pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female)

Spines work as shock absorbers: West European hedgehog
 

The spines of hedgehogs function as shock-absorbers during falls thanks to their honeycomb-like core and longitudinal stiffening.

       
  "In the second category, comprising animals with masses between about 100 kilograms and 100 grams (4 ounces), falling may be injurious, but the fall must involve a distance greater than the height of the animal…Hedgehogs (about 500--1,000 grams in mass), are also just above the lower limit, but, according to Vincent and Owers (1986), cope with falls by using a special device--spines that can act as shock absorbers." (Vogel 2003:44)

"[T]he hedgehog spine is a shock-absorber…The foam-like structure down the center of spines and quills supports the thin outer walls against local buckling, allowing the structure to bend further without failing…Porcupine quills perform more or less the same as hollow cylinders in buckling as struts with an axial load; in bending they are 40% or so better. But the spines of the hedgehog, with their square honeycomb core and longitudinal stiffening, are three times better than they would be without the core." (Vincent 2002:30-31)
  Learn more about this functional adaptation.

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.


There is 1 barcode sequence available from BOLD and GenBank.   Below is the sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen.  Other sequences that do not yet meet barcode criteria may also be available.


Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 1
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1

Formerly a common sight in the UK, local populations of Erinaceus europaeus appear to be rapidly declining. Despite this, E. europaeus is listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species. The reasons for its decline are unclear, however, E. europaeus has been included in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1), listed under Appendix III of the Bern Convention (3), and listed as a Priority Species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (4). Partially protected in the UK under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (5).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Historically, hedgehogs have been persecuted as vermin; between 1566 and 1863, churchwardens made payments for hedgehogs killed in their parish (5). Today, a number of factors are thought to pose threats to hedgehogs, including agricultural changes such as pesticide use and the loss of hedgerows and grasslands, drowning in garden ponds, falling into cattle grids (9), road deaths, poisoning by garden chemicals, and deaths caused by mowing machines (5).

Conservation Actions

The conservation status of this species in the UK is unclear. It is thought, however, that hedgehogs are common on a national basis, although they may be in decline on a regional level, and may even be vulnerable in some areas (9). For ways to make your garden more hedgehog friendly, see the Mammal Society fact sheet (link below).

Hedgehogs are potential vectors for a number of parasites and pathogens including ticks, fleas, mites, ringworm, influenza, yellow fever, Salmonella enteritidis, leptospirosis, and foot and mouth disease.

Negative Impacts: injures humans (carries human disease); causes or carries domestic animal disease

Hedgehogs are routinely kept as pets, but the European hedgehog is forbidden as a pet in Europe. Due to their broad diet, hedgehogs may help control insect pests. They have proven useful for the study of numerous diseases including foot and mouth disease, yellow fever, and influenza. Their hair and spines are useful in assessing for environmental pollutants including arsenic, silver, cadmium, lead, cobalt, and Persistant Organic Pollutants (POPs). Traditional remedies have incorporated the blood, entrails, or ashes of European hedgehogs, and some rituals involving hedgehogs have been used to cure baldness and predict the weather. Ancient Romans raised hedgehogs for their meat, and they used parts of the hedgehog, especially their spiny coat, for training work animals.

Positive Impacts: pet trade ; food ; body parts are source of valuable material; research and education; controls pest population