European hedgehog

A reference overview

The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), also known as the West European hedgehog or common hedgehog, is a hedgehog species native to Europe from Iberia and Italy northwards into Scandinavia and westwards into Ireland. It is a generally common and widely distributed species that can survive across a wide range of habitat types. It is a well-known species, and a favourite in European gardens, both for its endearing appearance and its preference for eating a range of garden pests.

Overview excerpt from Wikipedia contributors · European hedgehog, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Excerpt may be shortened. Overview retrieved 2026-10-09.