Hedgehog Facts: Living Armour, 6,000 Spines and One Great Nose
It is small, round, covered in spikes and somehow still one of the most loved animals in the garden. The hedgehog is a nocturnal hunter that patrols hedges, meadows and backyards while most of us sleep. Our hedgehog is tackling a tiny strawberry — but its wild menu, and its armour, are the real story.
Watch Hedgehog at Snack Time Zoo:
Armour Made of the Stuff of Hair
An adult hedgehog carries around 5,000 to 7,000 spines, and each one is a stiff, hollow hair made of keratin, the same material as your fingernails. Spines are not poisonous and they are not shot out like arrows; they are simply sharp, springy and very convincing. A hedgehog sheds and replaces individual spines throughout its life, just as we shed hairs.
The Spiky Ball Trick
When danger appears, special muscles pull a hedgehog into a tight ball, tucking its soft face, belly and feet safely inside a sphere of pointing spines. Few predators are stubborn enough to keep pushing. Young hedgehogs, called hoglets, are born with soft white spines hidden under the skin so they do no harm before birth.
A Night Shift Led by Nose and Ears
Hedgehogs have poor eyesight, but they hardly need it. An excellent sense of smell and sharp hearing lead them straight to beetles, worms, caterpillars and slugs as they snuffle through the grass. That appetite makes the hedgehog a true gardener's friend, providing free pest control on every night-time patrol.
Sleeping Through the Winter
When cold weather arrives and insects disappear, a hedgehog hibernates, letting its body temperature drop and its heartbeat slow to save energy. It wakes in spring thinner and very hungry. A good hedgehog prepares by eating heavily through autumn, which is why late-season snacks matter so much to it.
Quick Summary
The hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is a spiny, night-hunting insect eater of Europe whose keratin armour, ball-rolling defence and smell-led foraging make it a quiet hero of hedgerows and gardens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many spines does a hedgehog have?
About 5,000 to 7,000. They are made of keratin, like human hair and nails, and each spine lasts roughly a year before being replaced.
Why do hedgehogs sometimes spread frothy spit on their spines?
This is called self-anointing. When a hedgehog meets a strong new smell or taste, it makes frothy saliva and licks it onto its spines. Scientists think it may help disguise its scent or discourage predators.
What do hedgehogs eat in the wild?
Mostly insects and other invertebrates: beetles, worms, caterpillars and slugs. A strawberry, like the tiny one in our video, is an occasional sweet extra.
Can hedgehogs see well?
No, their eyesight is weak. They find their way and their food mainly with an excellent sense of smell and very good hearing.