The wild hedgehog, found across Europe and parts of Asia and Africa, is primarily classified as an insectivore. This small mammal possesses a highly varied diet, reflecting its status as a generalist feeder that adapts to available food sources. While its digestive system is specialized for processing invertebrates, the hedgehog’s survival depends on consuming a wide range of prey and plant matter. The diet changes dramatically based on season, habitat, and the presence of specific prey species.
The Primary Invertebrate Menu
The vast majority of a wild hedgehog’s diet, often estimated to be around 75%, consists of invertebrates. Beetles are a particularly favored food source, including ground beetles and their larvae. These insects, along with caterpillars, provide the high-protein and high-chitin content that the hedgehog’s digestive tract processes efficiently. Remnants of these tough insect exoskeletons are frequently visible in the dark, cylindrical droppings.
Earthworms are another important staple, especially in damp conditions where they remain close to the surface. Hedgehogs use their keen sense of smell to locate and extract these worms, sometimes digging into the soil. Slugs and snails are also consumed, though less frequently than beetles and worms. These mollusks can present a risk due to carrying parasitic lungworm, but some hedgehogs roll slugs on the ground to remove excess slime before ingestion.
Other smaller invertebrates include earwigs, millipedes, and fly larvae. A single adult hedgehog can consume hundreds of grams of invertebrates in one night. This intake is necessary to meet the high energy demands of a nocturnal mammal that can travel over a mile during foraging. The availability of these small creatures is often a direct indicator of the overall health of the local hedgehog population.
Opportunistic and Supplemental Foods
Hedgehogs are opportunistic omnivores that readily consume other foods. Small vertebrates are occasionally taken, such as frogs, slow-moving amphibians, and the nestlings or eggs of ground-nesting birds. They may also prey on baby rodents, but these items are seized upon only if the opportunity arises, not actively hunted.
Carrion, or the remains of dead animals, provides a rich source of protein and fat with little effort. Hedgehogs also incorporate plant matter, foraging for fallen fruits and berries, particularly in late summer and autumn. This plant material helps provide necessary fiber and sugars, useful for building fat reserves before hibernation. Fungi and small amounts of plant roots are also eaten.
Foraging Strategies and Habitat Influence
Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal, conducting foraging expeditions under the cover of darkness. They rely heavily on acute senses of smell and hearing to locate prey, compensating for their relatively poor eyesight. They spend active hours snuffling through leaf litter, undergrowth, and along hedgerows, systematically capturing ground-dwelling invertebrates.
The environment significantly dictates the specific items a hedgehog consumes. Urban hedgehogs often have access to a different prey base than those in woodlands or agricultural land. For instance, high pesticide use reduces the invertebrate population, forcing the hedgehog to rely more on supplemental foods. Conversely, well-maintained gardens with log piles and compost heaps offer a concentrated larder of insects and worms.
Seasonal shifts also influence foraging behavior, especially as the hedgehog prepares for hibernation. During autumn, an intense period of feeding known as hyperphagia occurs. The animal focuses on consuming large quantities of high-fat and high-protein foods to build a substantial fat layer. This reserve sustains them through the winter months when their metabolism slows and they enter a state of torpor.