The European hedgehog is one of the most friendly animals found in New Zealand and many European islands. However nice and good it is to have around, you cannot domesticate the animal because of its protective nature.
This European hedgehog, scientifically known as ‘Erinaceus Europaeus,’ has a unique body design with a broad limb girdle. Its brown and white coat is beautiful and can raise eyebrows.
And today, we will take you through some of the critical features of the European hedgehog and everything you should know.
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Key Features of a European Hedgehog
Physical Description
A European hedgehog is a round yet small animal with shorter legs rising about an inch above the ground. It has five well-grown claws and pads on each foot, and its 1st and 5th toes are weaker and smaller than the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th toes.
The European hedgehog has a brown and white coating with three-quarter to inch spines aligned in the radiating pattern. Its body length ranges from 135-265 mm; in most cases, the males are somehow more significant than the females.
Another thing that people don’t usually recognize about these European hedgehogs is that they have a tail of about five centimeters. Also, each hedgehog has about 7000 spines, each measuring 2 to 3 centimeters long, covering the higher part of its body except underneath areas.
Weight
The standard weight of the European hedgehog is about 400 grams to 1 kilogram. But the consequence may increase to about two kilograms during autumn.
They increase their weight because they have to construct enough fat to hibernate throughout the winter. Usually, during winter months, there is less abundant or insufficient food. And during the hibernation period, the European hedgehog can wake up severely.
Diet
The European hedgehog is an omnivore, although it primarily feeds on insects. It prefers caterpillars, earwigs, beetles, centipedes, flies, bees, moths, and wasps. As if that is not enough, the European hedgehog can eat carrion, rodents, snails, frogs, cockroaches, snakes, lizards, and crickets.
Behavior
European hedgehogs are nocturnal as they can go 2 km every night foraging for enough food. Although they are omnivores, they are also insectivorous since they feed on many insects.
Habitat
You can find European hedgehogs in temperate fields, and they mostly like drier places that are not that densely wooded. Also, you can find them in dunes and scrubs.
They are commensal, meaning you can find them in cemeteries, home gardens, agroecosystems, parks, and places with appropriate hibernation areas.
Reproduction
I can refer the European hedgehogs as polygynandrous since the female and male have many mates every season. Their mating process begins immediately after hibernation: April to September.
Typically, the male emerges about three to four weeks before the female. And the process helps them to expand the home range during the mating season, increasing the chances of getting the female to mate.
Gestation is about 35 days; the female gives birth to 4-6 offspring per litter and has 2 litters yearly. After 24 hours of delivery, the spines start to show, and after two to three days, the muscles get more vital to hold the spine erect.
After 1.5 days, the dark spines replace the white crests, and the pigmented spines return the 1st two coatings after 2-3 weeks. They are then weaned by 4-6 weeks and then become independent and can mate by around one year.
How Long Does European Dedgehogs Live?
The European hedgehog can live for about three to four years, but the highest lifespan should be eight years. And in captivity, it can live for ten years, plus the standard weight of an adult hedgehog should range from 700 grams to 1400 grams.
Can European Hedgehogs be Pets?
You can find these cute European hedgehogs in western Europe. The fact is that they are friendly wild animals, although they have never been domesticated since they are protective.
You can only remove the European hedgehog from its habitat if it is sick or has some significant injuries until it restores health. If you want a hedgehog pet, you can get the most famous pet type; the African pygmy hedgehog.
Word of Thought
Did you know that hedgehogs are famous for their rolling ability into spine balls when threatened? Now you have a clue. The spines are modified hairs, whereas the standard hedgehog contains 7000 each, which powerful muscles on their back may uplift.
Final Thoughts
Hedgehogs are nice animals to have around and even keep as a pet. But due to the many types, it can take time to tell which one is best to domesticate.
And the appearance of the European hedgehog can tempt you to have it as a pet. You now know the key features of this cute European hedgehog from the above article.
Do you have any questions about hedgehogs? Please leave a comment below.
