Hedgehog
Hedgehog Facts
| Size | 3.5-16 inches (9-40 cm) |
| Speed | Up to 4 mph (7 km/h) |
| Weight | 1.2 ounces (35 grams) to 2.4 pounds (1.1 kg) |
| Lifespan | 3-6 years |
| Food | Beetles, caterpillars, earwigs |
| Predators | Owls, dogs, foxes |
| Habitat | Europe, Western Asia, Africa |
| Order | Insectivora |
| Family | Erinaceidae |
| Scientific name | Erinaceidae |
| Characteristics | Small mammals with spines, curl up into a ball when in danger |
Main Characteristics
Hedgehogs are small mammals that belong to the order of insectivora. Their most distinctive feature is their sharp spines. When threatened, they curl up into a prickly ball, making it difficult for predators to approach without getting injured.
Hedgehog Species
There are a total of 34 different species, including the Northern white-breasted hedgehog, desert hedgehog, African hedgehog and long-eared hedgehog. In Germany, the European hedgehog and the Northern white-breasted hedgehog are the most common species.
Distribution and Habitat
Hedgehogs can be found across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. They aren't present in America or Australia. Their habitats include dry, open forests, grasslands, hedgerows, bushes, meadows, parks, and gardens. Some hedgehogs even thrive in steppes and deserts, while rat hedgehogs inhabit rainforests.
Way of Life
Hedgehogs are active during twilight and nighttime. They're solitary creatures and only come together for mating. Most of their time is spent foraging for food. In the fall, they eat a lot to prepare for hibernation during the cold winter months.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
The smallest hedgehog is the shrew hedgehog, which only grows to about 3.5-6 inches (9-12 cm) and weighs around 1.2 ounces (35 grams). The largest hedgehog is the moonrat, reaching lengths of 12-16 inches (32-40 cm) and weighing up to 2.4 pounds (1.1 kg), which is comparable to a rabbit. The most common hedgehog in Germany, the European hedgehog, measures 8.6-12 inches (22-30 cm) in length and weighs around 18-28 ounces (500-800 grams).
Physique
Hedgehogs have a rounded body shape and a long, flexible snout adorned with whiskers. Unlike other insectivora, they possess notably large eyes and ears, especially when compared to moles and shrews!
Spines
Hedgehogs are covered in spines all over their bodies, except for their face, belly, and limbs. They can have up to 8,000 spines, which are made of the same material as hair but are hollow inside. Interestingly, they can raise each spine individually. The base of the spines is white, while the tips are brown.
Hedgehog vs. Porcupine – What’s the Difference?
Hedgehogs and porcupines both have spines on their backs, but they're not related. The porcupine is a rodent and primarily a herbivore. You can easily tell them apart by their size: a porcupine is three times larger than a hedgehog. Its spines are ten times longer and have barbs.
Diet
Hedgehogs scientifically belong to the order of insectivora. Based on their diet, they are considered omnivores. Their diet mainly consists of invertebrates such as beetles, caterpillars, and earwigs. Occasionally, they also consume earthworms and segmented worms. Some species may eat mice, moles, small toads, snakes, chicks, eggs, and carrion. It's important to never give them milk, as they can't digest lactose and it can be fatal to them.
Behavior
Why Do Hedgehogs Curl Up Into a Ball?
When threatened, hedgehogs curl up into a spiky ball to protect themselves from predators. As long as they stay in this position, they're safe from any threat. However, the red fox has a clever trick to outsmart the hedgehog. It pushes it into a pond, prompting it to uncurl. Unfortunately, these little creatures stand no chance against cars, even with their spines.
Are Hedgehogs Dangerous?
Hedgehogs are quite peaceful animals. When they feel threatened, they may hiss as a warning. If they're still approached, they might bite. Their spines can carry pathogens such as the Borna virus, salmonella, leptospira, listeria, and chlamydia. Therefore, it's always a good idea to wear gloves when handling a hedgehog.
Hibernation
Hedgehogs hibernate from mid-November until March or April. During this period, their heart rate, breathing, and metabolism slow down, and their body temperature drops. They enter a deep sleep and don't eat anything until they wake up in the spring. Why is this beneficial? Hedgehogs struggle to find food during the cold months, and hibernation allows them to conserve as much energy as possible.
Senses and Abilities
Senses
Hedgehogs primarily rely on their sense of smell, which is their most important sense. Their sense of hearing and touch are also well-developed. While they're not blind, their vision isn't particularly good. However, since they are crepuscular and nocturnal, this isn't a significant issue.
Curling Up Into a Ball
Hedgehogs curl up into a ball by tightening a muscle that runs around the edge of their spiny coat. This muscle acts like a drawstring on a bag.
Swimming
Hedgehogs are quite remarkable. We usually think of them as little rolled-up "balls," but their abilities are truly surprising. They can even swim, albeit only for short distances.
Climbing
Hedgehogs spend most of their time on the ground, but they're also quite adept at climbing. The surface needs to provide good traction, as they can easily scale a 3 feet (1 meter) high wire fence.
Running
Male hedgehogs are quite the little athletes! You could even say they are enthusiastic long-distance runners. While searching for food and females, they explore an area of up to 247 acres (100 hectares), which is about 130 soccer fields! That's a huge territory! Female hedgehogs are content with a smaller area of about 74 acres (30 hectares). Why wear out their feet when the males come to them anyway? By the way, hedgehogs can walk up to 2 miles (3 km) a day and can run as fast as 4 mph (7 km/h).
Life Expectancy
Hedgehogs usually live for about 3-6 years. The oldest hedgehog found in the wild lived to be 16 years old.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
The natural enemies of hedgehogs are owls, foxes, and dogs.
Human Impact
Loss of Habitat
The natural habitat of hedgehogs is shrinking as more houses, factories, and roads are being built, leaving fewer forests behind.
Traffic Hazards
Many hedgehogs are injured or killed by cars while trying to cross roads that have been constructed right through their habitats, especially at night.
Lawn Mowers
While robotic lawn mowers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, they still cause numerous fatalities among animals each year. If you prefer to use a robotic mower, it's best to operate it during the day.
Milk
Hedgehogs should never be given milk! Even well-intentioned offerings of milk can lead to severe digestive issues that may be fatal. They also shouldn't be fed dog food. Generally, hedgehogs can find their own food, so they don’t require our assistance unless they're sick or underweight before winter.
Beer Trap
At night, hedgehogs venture out for a drink or two. Believe it or not! They don’t need to head to a pub; they just visit the neighbor's vegetable garden, where small bowls of beer are set out to combat slugs. These are known as "beer traps." Hedgehogs enjoy a sip and then stumble around in a tipsy state. It sounds amusing, but it’s actually quite serious. Why? In this state, they don’t curl up and become easy targets for predators. Some get so drunk that they end up with their heads stuck in the bowls and drown. So, please refrain from setting up beer traps and spread the word!
Helping Hedgehogs
Sick Hedgehogs
Sick hedgehogs can be identified by their unusual daytime activity. They don't run away when you get close and don't curl up into a ball. Instead, they may wobble or walk in an unsteady manner. A closer look might reveal fly eggs, maggots, or injuries from sharp objects like lawnmowers or fences. It's important to take these hedgehogs to a veterinarian or a hedgehog rescue center, where experts can provide the necessary care. Don't forget to wear gloves!
Skinny Hedgehogs
A hedgehog that is the size of a kiwi or a lemon is too small and skinny to survive. A healthy, adult hedgehog is about the size of a bell pepper. By October, it should be at least as big as a grapefruit or a mango. If not you should take it to the vet. It's a good idea to wear gloves when handling them. Hedgehogs can sometimes have fungal infections that they might pass on to people and pets.
Hedgehog Orphans
If you find a baby hedgehog, the first thing to do is check for fly eggs or maggots on it. If there aren’t any, look around to see if you can find its family and, if possible, return the baby to its mom or siblings. If you can’t find anyone, it’s best to take it to a hedgehog rescue or care center.
Hedgehog in the Garden
Leave Leaf Piles
Hedgehogs love to hide in leaf piles. If you're raking leaves or tidying up your garden in the fall, be extra cautious, as there might be hedgehogs nestled inside!
Set Up a Hedgehog House
If you have a garden, consider putting up or building a charming hedgehog house. It's best to place it under a shady bush or within a hedge. Make sure the entrance faces southeast, and fill the inside with some straw.
Hedgehogs as Pets
Hedgehogs are protected by law, making it illegal to keep them as pets. Additionally, they are not suitable for domestic life at all.
Importance for the Ecosystem
Hedgehogs play a crucial role in maintaining balance in nature by keeping insect populations in check, especially aphids, larvae, beetles, caterpillars, and snails. This is why they're considered beneficial and are welcome visitors in gardens and vegetable patches.
Reproduction
Mating Season
Starting in May, you can observe the fascinating "hedgehog carousel". The male hedgehog circles around the female he fancies. If she’s not convinced, she spins around, raises her quills, and hisses. This courtship can last for hours.
Gestation Period and Birth
Hedgehogs have a gestation period of 30-48 days, which means the little ones are born between June and August. At birth, they are blind and deaf but already have around 100 soft spines. It’s quite a wonder how the mother manages to give birth without getting pricked! The reason is that the babies' spines are still soft and only harden later on.
Survival Rates
A typical litter consists of 4-5 baby hedgehogs, but usually, only 1-2 make it through their first year. After that, their chances of survival improve significantly.
Fun Facts
Hairy Hedgehogs
Not all species of hedgehogs have spines. For instance, hairy hedgehogs have fur instead. They're also called moonrats.
Do Hedgehogs Store or Transport Food on the Backs?
This is often seen in staged photos and sounds quite convenient, but it's actually nonsense. If you see mushrooms or apple pieces on their spines, it's because they accidentally got speared by them. It definitely looks amusing, though!
The Hedgehog Is Related To:
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Adder
- Badger
- Bumblebee
- Eagle Owl
- Eurasian Jay
- Firefly
- Honey Bee
- Great-Spotted Woodpecker
- Ladybug
- Marten
- Microbat
- Mouse
- Rabbit
- Red Fox
- Red Squirrel
- Wasp
Sources:
- „Anyone Can Get Old—All You Have to Do Is Live Long Enough: Understanding Mortality and Life Expectancy in European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)“ (https://www.mdpi.com)
- „New records of shrew gymnure (Neotetracus sinensis) and Chinese mole shrew (Anourosorex squamipes) from Guangdong Province“ (https://www.researchgate.net)
Video: 15 Facts About Hedgehogs
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