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The project was established in 2011 in response to a detected decline [1] [2] [3] in hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) populations in Britain, where it is a native species. As of January 2025, over 130,000 volunteers have signed up to be ‘ Hedgehog Champions ’, committing to making changes in their gardens to encourage and support wild hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs have a relatively long lifespan for their size. In captivity, lack of predators and controlled diet contribute to a lifespan of eight to ten years depending on size. In the wild, larger species live four to seven years (some recorded up to 16 years), and smaller species live two to four years (four to seven in captivity ).
Poland: European hedgehogs are protected and cannot be kept as pets. Four-toed hedgehogs may legally be kept as pets. France: European hedgehogs are protected, no specie of hedgehog can be kept as pets. Spain: European hedgehogs are protected and cannot be kept as pets. Four-toed hedgehogs are illegal and considered an exotic invasive species.
Remains of hedgehogs have been found in the stomachs of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), European badgers (Meles meles) and pine martens (Martes martes). A large portion of these may be from hedgehog carcasses, especially roadkill. However, hedgehogs tend to be absent from areas where badgers are numerous.
The disease slowly degrades the hedgehog's muscle control. This first appears as a wobble while the hedgehog is attempting to stand still. Over time, the hedgehog will lose control of all muscles from the rear of its body to the front.
The animal hospital in Manchester has urged the public to do more to help the mammals thrive.
By the 1950s hedgehog numbers reached their maximum. To judge by roadkill figures, hedgehogs were 50 times more numerous in New Zealand than anywhere else. Since the 1950s, their numbers have fallen but over large parts of New Zealand hedgehogs are still more numerous than in Britain. [4] By 1972 they may have reached their maximum range. [2]
Hedgehogs all have spines on their backs, while gymnures have fur. No erinaceids have population estimates, but the Hainan gymnure and Dinagat gymnure are categorized as endangered species . The twenty-four extant species of Erinaceidae are divided into two subfamilies: Erinaceinae , containing sixteen hedgehog species in five genera , and ...