Western European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

OTHER NAMES: Northern Hedgehog, Hedgehog

Latin Etymology: Erinaceus ("hedgehog-like") europaeus ("of Europe")

Adult male Western European Hedgehog (subspecies E. e. europaeus) at Geddington, Northants - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: Erinaceus europaeus europaeus

Weight: 1100g  /  Length: 26cm

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern

One of the most iconic British Mammals, the Hedgehog is a widely distributed species found across a range of habitats.  Usually nocturnal, it does occasionally come out during the day, but this may be due to sickness or injury.  Hedgehogs hibernate during the Winter, and can be fairly thinly distributed - it is believed that they are in decline in the UK although within the rest of it's range it's considered fairly stable.

Related Species:
Order: Erinaceomorpha
Family: Erinaceidae
Genus: Erinaceus
SUBSPECIES: E. e. acentralrossicus, E. e. consolei, E. e. dissimilis, E. e. europaeus, E. e. hispanicus, E. e. italicus, E. e. meridionalis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A generally widespread but scarce species

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Southern White-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor)

OTHER NAMES: White-bellied Hedgehog, White-chested Hedgehog
Latin Etymology:  Erinaceus ("hedgehog-like") concolor ("of uniform colour")

Adult Southern White-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) at Side, Antalya, Turkey - March 2025

Featured Subspecies: 
Weight: 600-900g  /  Length: 35cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A hedgehog species found in Turkey, the Levant and the Caucasus, the latter of which being the geographical feature which split it from it's close relation the Northern White-breasted Hedgehog.  They do not dig dens like other hedgehog species, but rather construct grassy nests away from disturbance.

Related Species:
Order: Erinaceomorpha
Family: Erinaceidae
Genus: Erinaceus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

TURKEY  -   Turkish: Ak göğüslü kirpi ("White-breasted Hedgehog")
 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - A single individual seen in Side

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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