The European Hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus, is a hedgehog, a mammal in the order Insectivora. It is found throughout the Palaearctic region, except the Himalaya and North Africa. It is rarely found above 60°N in latitude.
This hedgehog is about 20cm in length, and lives in woodland, farmland and suburban areas. It is nocturnal, and if alarmed will roll itself into a ball, protecting itself against potential predators with its spines.
Unlike the smaller, warmer climate species, the European Hedgehog may hibernate in the winter. It feeds on slugs, earthworms, beetles and other insects, and sometimes frogs, small rodents, young birds and birds' eggs.
Hedgehogs are easily distinguished by their spines, which are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin.
Hedgehogs are difficult to maintain as pets due to their low resistance to climate and temperature changes, and their inability to adapt to enclosed environments.
Attempts to eliminate hedgehogs from bird colonies on the Scottish islands of North Uist and Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides have met with considerable opposition.
The WesternEuropeanhedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), or simply the Europeanhedgehog, is a hedgehog species found throughout the Palaearctic region, except in the Himalayas and North Africa.
The hedgehog is about 20 cm in length, and lives in woodland, farmland and suburban areas.
This species has become a serious pest in the Western Isles of Scotland, where introduced hedgehogs eat the eggs of ground-nesting waders such as Snipe, Dunlin, Redshank and Lapwing.
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