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European Hedgehog
Erinaceus europaeus
1 photo
·1 photographer
·Common · 1 ptsBeloved garden visitor; numbers have declined sharply.
1 community photo of European Hedgehog on Things With Wings. Top-rated shots often use around 1/4ss shutter, 6.8600001335175875mm.
Species Profile
Red List for British Mammals; populations have declined by up to 97% in the last 50 years
- Lifespan
- 2–5 years in the wild; up to 10 years in captivity
- Size & Weight
- 20–27 cm body length; 750–1,200 g
- Habitat
- Gardens, hedgerows, grassland, and woodland edges with leaf litter and dense vegetation for shelter and foraging.
- UK Distribution
- Found throughout mainland Britain and Wales; absent from Ireland. Resident year-round, though activity levels decline significantly in winter.
- Diet
- Primarily invertebrates including beetles, earthworms, caterpillars, and slugs; also eats small vertebrates, carrion, and plant matter opportunistically.
- Prey
- Beetles, earthworms, caterpillars, slugs, snails, frogs, and small lizards
- Predators
- Badgers, foxes, dogs, and ground-nesting birds of prey; cars are a significant cause of mortality
- Mating Season
- April to August, with a peak in May and June
- Breeding
- Single litter per year (rarely two); 3–4 young per litter; gestation approximately 35 days; young weaned at 4–5 weeks
Sources and editorial status
The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.
Profile generated 22 June 2026
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Camera Settings (top photos)
Shutter
1/4ss
ISO Range
80
Aperture
f/f/1.7799999713880652
Focal Length
6.8600001335175875mm
