• Description: The common British hedgehog is a small mammal characterized by its spiny coat, stout body, and short legs. Its spines are modified hairs made of keratin. The hedgehog’s fur coloration ranges from light brown to dark brown, with a lighter underside.
• Habitat: Found throughout Britain, hedgehogs inhabit a variety of habitats including gardens, parks, woodlands, and hedgerows. They seek shelter in dense vegetation, under bushes, and in piles of leaves or debris.
• Diet: Hedgehogs are omnivores with a diet primarily consisting of invertebrates such as insects, worms, snails, and slugs. They also eat fruits, berries, and occasionally small vertebrates.
• Lifecycle: Hedgehogs breed from April to September, with peak activity in May and June. After a gestation period of around 4-6 weeks, females give birth to a litter of 3-5 young, called hoglets. Hoglets are born blind and covered in soft spines, which harden within a few hours.
• Conservation Status: Classified as “Vulnerable” in Britain due to declining populations attributed to habitat loss, fragmentation, road casualties, and the use of pesticides reducing prey availability. Conservation efforts include creating hedgehog-friendly habitats and raising awareness about their plight.
• Role in Ecosystem: Hedgehogs are important in controlling invertebrate populations, thus helping to maintain ecosystem balance. They are also prey for various predators including foxes, badgers, and birds of prey.

Interesting Fact: Hedgehogs are nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. They have poor eyesight but rely heavily on their acute sense of smell and hearing to locate food and avoid predators. When threatened, hedgehogs can curl into a tight ball, presenting their spines as a defence mechanism.