Extreme close up of a hedgehog looking at the camera
Hedgehog
Scientific Name:
Erinaceus europaeus
Description:
A small mammal with a rounded body covered in pale spines. The underside and face are also a pale colour and covered in fur.
Size:
Up to 30cm in length and up to 1.2kg in weight.
Preferred habitats:
Hedges, grassland and domestic gardens.
Diet:
Slugs, beetles, caterpillars, bird eggs and earthworms.
Lifespan:
2-5 years

Breeding

Peak breeding season is May to June, but breeding can occur from April to September. Typical litters are often 4 – 5 hoglets in size, however usually only 2 – 3 survive to adulthood.

 

Where do they live in the Forest?

The hedgerows in the Forest provide food, nesting places in the summer, and a sheltered spot to hibernate from November to mid-March.

 

Natural predators

Owls, foxes and badgers.

 

Spotting tips

Most likely spotted in the evenings after dusk between April and October, as they hibernate during the winter.

 

Not to be confused with

There is very little in the UK that looks like our prickly friends!

 

Conservation status

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Hedgehogs are still listed as a priority species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

 

How you can help

Team up with your neighbours and create a hedgehog highway between your gardens by creating gaps in your fences. This can help to increase access to food and suitable shelter for hedgehogs. Find out how to create a haven for hedgehogs.