The European hedgehog, aka common hedgehog or West European hedgehog, can be found throughout Europe and has been introduced to New Zealand as well. They run the risk of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of residential and commercial developments, as well as farming and ranching; habitat division at the hands of roads and railroads, which can also result in vehicle strike (being hit by vehicles); water pollution; land pollution; and climate change, which can bring about habitat altering storms. The IUCN lists these critters as Near Threatened. Their population trend is listed as decreasing as well.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Erinaceus europaeus
Weight: Up to 70 ounces
Length: Up to 10 inches
Lifespan: Up to 12 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Like all hedgehogs, they are nocturnal (active at night).
2.) Even though they hibernate in winter, these hedgies often wake at least once to relocate their nest.
3.) Earthworms, snails, slugs, beetles, ants, bees, wasps, earwigs, cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers, butterflies, moths, caterpillars, and other insect larvae are all happily preyed upon.
4.) Lizards, snakes, frogs, mice, juvenile rats, bird eggs, and carrion (dead animals) are also feasted upon.
5.) Red foxes, European badgers, pine martens, Eurasian eagle-owls, and golden eagles all prey on these prickly critters.
But wait, there’s more on the European hedgehog!
6.) They construct 3 kinds of nests: the breeding nest (where they give birth), the day nest (used during warmer months), and the winter nests (used for winter hibernation).
7.) Females undergo up to a 35 day gestation (pregnancy) that yields up to 10 hoglets.
Did you know…?
These are the largest known hedgehog species in the world.
8.) By the age of 11 days, they are capable of coiling up into a ball.
9.) Although protected throughout most of Europe, they are considered a pest species and/or invasive species in the Western Isles of Scotland and in New Zealand.
10.) In 2003, 690 hedgehogs were killed in Scotland to thwart their invasion. By 2007 legal injunctions against the killings were put in place. In 2008 the culling process was changed from killing them to trapping them and releasing the hedgehogs onto the mainland.
Now a Short European Hedgehog Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
