# Woodland Hedgehogs (*Erinaceus*) Woodland hedgehogs are small, spiky animals that love to roam in gardens and forests. They curl up into a ball when scared, using their sharp spines for protection. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Woodland Hedgehogs](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Erinaceus_europeaus_%28DarkAn9el%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. DarkAngel~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erinaceus_europeaus_%28DarkAn9el%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Woodland Hedgehog has a distinctive covering of thousands of sharp, brown and cream-tipped spines across its back, setting it apart from other small mammals. It possesses a small, dark snout, beady eyes, and short, sturdy limbs with dark brown fur on its belly and face. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Erinaceomorpha - **Family:** Erinaceidae - **Genus:** Erinaceus ## Interesting facts - Did you know a hedgehog has between 5,000 and 7,000 spines? Wow! - Hedgehog babies are called hoglets and are born blind and pink! Wow! - Hedgehogs build cozy nests called "hibernaculums" to sleep through winter! Wow! - These spiky mammals can swim quite well, much to many people's surprise! Wow! ## Special abilities - **Spine Shield:** Woodland Hedgehogs can curl into a tight, spiny ball because of powerful back muscles and thousands of sharp quills that deter predators. - **Night Navigator:** Woodland Hedgehogs has an excellent sense of smell and hearing that helps them find food and navigate in the dark. - **Winter Sleeper:** Woodland Hedgehogs can enter a deep hibernation state because their body temperature drops, allowing them to survive cold winters without food. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.8-2 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 7 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-7 - **Gestation:** 30-35 days ## Diet & Feeding These spiky friends munch on various small creatures to keep gardens healthy. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, slugs, snails, earthworms, caterpillars, fallen fruit - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [European Badger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-badger) (*Meles meles*) — Badgers are a primary natural predator in their habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Foxes prey on hedgehogs, especially young ones, when food is scarce. - **Eats:** [Black Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Hedgehogs help control slug populations in gardens and woodlands. - **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Earthworms are a vital part of the hedgehog's protein-rich diet. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a hedgehog, watch quietly from a distance. They are shy and like to be left alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Woodland Hedgehogs? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Woodland Hedgehogs? 20-30 cm ### How much does Woodland Hedgehogs weigh? 0.8-2 kg ### How long does Woodland Hedgehogs live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Woodland Hedgehogs move? 7 km/h ### What does Woodland Hedgehogs eat? These spiky friends munch on various small creatures to keep gardens healthy. ### Where is Woodland Hedgehogs usually found? Forests ### How does Woodland Hedgehogs hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Woodland Hedgehogs: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/woodland-hedgehogs)