Erinaceus europaeus
western European hedgehog

Erinaceus europaeus occurs in the Palaearctic region, except the Himalayas and North Africa. It is rarely found above 60 degrees North latitude. It was also introduced to New Zealand in the last decades of the 1800's, where it fluorishes. It can be found on many islands off the coast of the United Kingdom, and those off the coast of Italy. (Burton, 1969; Lawrence and Brown, 1973; Southern, 1964)

The hedgehog prefers open woods and grassy heaths, cultivated land, scrub and sand dunes, parks and cemeteries. It ranges from sea level to 2400 m, provided there is adequate cover. (Burton, 1969; Lawrence and Brown, 1973; Southern, 1964)

The dental formula for this species is: 3/2, 1/1, 2/3, 3/3

European hedgehogs are squat, rounded creatures with five-toed, well padded feet. The second, third and fourth toes are the same length with strong claws, while the first and fifth toes are smaller with smaller claws. The hind feet are slightly longer but the same width as the forefeet. European hedgehogs have mobile, pointed snouts, small eyes, and short, rounded ears that are almost hidden in the fur. Body length ranges from 135 to 265 mm, with males being slightly larger than females. Tail length is about 20 mm.

The dorsal and lateral surfaces, excluding the facial area and legs, are densely covered with spines of about 20 mm in length (about 5,000 of them). These spines contain air filled spaces separated by horizontal disks to maintain structure. At the base of each spine is a small ball or bulb that sits below the skin surface to root it firmly. Shed spines carry small flakes of skin still attached. They are white at the base and the tip, with bands of black, white and brown in between. These spines are ungrooved, unbarbed and grow from follicles in the skin in the same way that hair grows. Each spine is attached to an arrector pili muscle so that it can be raised and lowered, and is highly ennervated. When erect, the spines crisscross over one another and support each other in a virtually impenetrable mass. The panniculus carnosis muscle is a sheet of muscle covering the back, surrounded by the orbicularis which, when constricted, acts like a drawstring in pulling the animal's body into the curve of the panniculus carnosis. This curling brings the spines together across the opening of the "pouch" and stretches the arrector muscles of the spines so that the more tightly the hedgehog curls, the spinier it becomes. The normal hair on the hedgehog's face, legs and ventral body surface is coarse and yellow-white to dark brown.

Their upper incisors are spaced widely apart so that the lower incisors fit between them. (Burton, 1969; Lawrence and Brown, 1973; Macdonald, 1995; Southern, 1964; Walker, 1968)

European hedgehogs live up to 6 years in the wild, and up to 10 in captivity.

The hedgehog is solitary except during breeding season. However, when several hedgehogs are in an area, some sort of pecking order does seem to fall into place. Their long middle toes are used for grooming the spines, while the tongue is used to groom the stomach.

Hedgehogs may travel up to 200 yards in a night. They are excellent swimmers and climbers. A farmer once reported hanging up a pair of trousers to dry, and in the morning, finding a hedgehog in the pocket, even though the leg of the trousers was several inches from the ground. They are also able to squeeze under and through tight spaces. This is partly due to the loose nature of the hedgehog's skin--a feature which also allows it to curl up into a tight little ball when threatened by predators. Such predators include man and dogs, foxes, ploecats, badgers and tawny owls. Because the hedgehog does not dash away from larger animals like some of its smaller relatives, E. europaeus is thought to be slow and ponderous, however when it wishes, the hedgehog can run quite quickly.

Hedgehogs nest in brush piles, under rocks or in other crevices. They are thought to have different winter and summer burrows. They hibernate in their winter burrows from October to April, although their hibernation period is not as rigid nor as continuous as those of some other mammals.

Erinaceus europaeus, like other hedgehogs, practices 'self annointing'. This process involves the hedgehog licking some object to produce frothy saliva, and then spreading the saliva on its spines. The function of this behavior is unknown, but has been compared to the behavior of cats exposed to catnip, because the self annointing behavior usually occurs after a hedgehog has been exposed to some strong odor. (Burton, 1969; Macdonald, 1995; Southern, 1964; Walker, 1968)

European hedgehogs make a variety of snuffling and snorting vocalizations and also clack their teeth. Young make birdlike whistles and quacks while in the nest. A scream is often made in distress, but does not seem to result from the infliction of pain. (Burton, 1969; Macdonald, 1995; Southern, 1964; Walker, 1968)

European hedgehogs are omnivorous. They eat a wide range of invertebrates, but prefer earthworms, slugs, and snails. Preferred arthropods seem to be Glomeris marginata, Tachypodoiulus niger (millipedes) and Carabus nemoralis (ground beetles). They will also eat frogs, small reptiles, young birds, young mice, carrion, small bird eggs, acorns, and berries. Of 100 insect species tested, hedgehogs rejected only aphids and ladybugs. (Burton, 1969; Southern, 1964)

Hedgehogs are known to carry and transmit ringworm, influenza, yellow fever, Salmonella enteritidis, leptospirosis and foot and mouth disease. They carry ticks, mites and fleas in high concentrations. Hedgehogs are also regarded by poultry farmers as egg thieves and chicken stealers, although this is unlikely. (Burton, 1969; Southern, 1964)

This creature is easy to keep as a pet and has quite a following of enthusiasts. However, European hedgehogs are illegal to keep as pets in Europe. Hedgehogs are also important in research on diseases such as foot and mouth disease, yellow fever and influenza. Old home remedies sometimes called for blood, entrails or ashes of the animal. Mixed with pitch or resin, the burned hindquarters supposedly helped cure baldness. The animal was used to predict the weather and if buried under a building was thought to bring good luck.

The hedgehog was domesticated by the Romans in the 4th century BC, and was raised for meat and for its coat, which was used to card wool. Its spiny skin was used on carts to deter horses from leaning, and on calves to stop them from suckling after they should have been weaned. Their spines were used as dissection pins in 19th century Germany. The hedgehog today is known to be a vermin cotroller, a helpful scavenger. (Burton, 1969; Southern, 1964)

European hedgehog are adaptable to life near humans and are somewhat of a delight to gardeners. They are common in suburban areas, parks, and cemeteries. Their ready adaptation to domestic life has made them a popular, if uncommon pet. Most populations seem stable.

There are many myths and old wives' tales regarding the hedgehog. One of these is that a hedgehog stores its food on its spines. The spines are definitely sturdy enough to do so, but this is not the case. The hedgehog will sometimes pick up leaves and such while in its nest. It also may pick up fallen fruits on its spines while self annoiting. In order to reach its back, the hedgehog must roll partially onto its side. In doing so, the stiff spines sometimes catch soft fruit. Afterwards, the hedgehog often does little to remove this unwanted baggage.

Although hedgehogs are currently found only on eastern continents, fossilized hedgehogs have been reported from North America. (Burton, 1969; Macdonald, 1995)