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European hedgehog in garden at night with house behind
© Cyril Ruoso / naturepl.com / WWF

1. They are pretty widespread and sociable

There are 17 species of hedgehog and they are found in Europe, Africa and Asia. In the UK they can live in a variety of habitats including woodland, farmland, parks and gardens. Hedgehogs are also well established in our urban habitat and can, somewhat surprisingly, survive very well in our cities. They even make extremely good use of cemeteries, railway land, wasteland and both public and private gardens as long as there is food, and shelter available and the ability to connect with other hedgehogs.

Hedgehogs at night
© Ola Jennersten wwf-Sweden

2. They are nightowls who don’t like the heat

Hedgehogs spend much of their life asleep, hibernating through the winter months of November and mid-March in a nest made from fallen leaves in a sheltered spot. They emerge in spring but will typically spend the day sleeping, becoming active after the sun has gone down.   

A wild European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) enjoys some dry meaty cat biscuits in a suburban garden in West Berkshire
© Kyle Smith / WWF-UK

3. They are lactose intolerant!

It was once believed that hedgehogs stole milk straight from cows’ udders, which may have been why people so commonly leave milk out for them. But they are actually lactose intolerant – so if you want to feed your local neighbourhood hedgehog, wet cat food or hedgehog food you can purchase in most garden centres is best!  

European hedgehog forages for food in a suburban garden in West Berkshire, UK
© Kyle Smith / WWF-UK

4. They are carnivores

Despite their cute appearance these little spikey mammals are voracious predators and have a varied diet. Eating worms, slugs, earwigs, millipedes, beetles and other small inspects. They can sometimes also eat frogs, baby birds, snakes, bird's eggs and fruit.  

European Hedgehog in beech woodland. Derbyshire
© UK naturepl.com / Andrew Parkinson / WWF

5. They may need spectacles but they make up for it elsewhere

Although their eyesight is poor, they have good hearing and a well developed sense of smell.

Baby hedgehog amongst the leaves
© Sierra-nicole-narvaeth

6. They would be great at triathlon, if you switched cycling for climbing

Hedgehogs are good runners, proficient climbers and can even swim.  

Adult European Hedgehog foraging in suitable place to hibernate at dusk
© Ben Andrew

7. They are speedy little things

They have a top speed of 9.5km/h - around 5mph, albeit only for short bursts! 

© Sam Hobson

8. They weigh the same as a Pineapple and can measure up to the size of a classroom ruler

Hedgehogs are 20–25cm long and typically weigh up to 1.2kg. The hedgehog’s back and sides are covered in 25mm (1 inch) long spines (which are really modified hairs). These are absent from the face, chest, belly, throat and legs which are covered with a coarse, grey-brown fur. There are approximately 5,000-7,000 spines on an average adult hedgehog. What many people do not know is that a hedgehog has a small tail. 

European Hedgehog coming in for a nightly visit
© Ola Jennersten / WWF-Sweden

9. Sadly, the UK’s favourite spiky little mammal is in serious decline

While it is difficult to accurately monitor hedgehog numbers, evidence indicates they could be down by over half in rural areas and a third in urban areas since 2000.

European Hedgehog outside backdoor of house
© Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)

10. Many Hedgehogs are killed unintentionally

Despite an average lifespan of two-three years, many hedgehogs lives are cut even shorter, losing their lives on roads, to lawnmowers, strimmer’s and garden chemicals. 

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