European Hedgehog

The European hedgehog is a small, spine-covered mammal found across much of Europe, recognized by the coat of sharp spines covering its back and sides, which it uses defensively by curling into a tight ball when threatened, tucking its vulnerable face, legs and underside safely inside. It is mainly nocturnal and feeds on a varied diet of insects, worms, slugs and other invertebrates, making it a familiar and generally welcomed visitor to gardens across its range, where it helps control pest populations. European hedgehogs hibernate through the colder months in temperate parts of their range, and although still widespread, populations have declined in a number of countries due to habitat loss, road mortality and the use of pesticides, leading to growing conservation concern in several regions even as the species overall remains classified as being of least concern.