Erinaceus europaeus; the Hedgehog (Butter-bump)
The hedgehog is probably one of the most loved wild mammals in the UK, but unfortunately one of the fastest declining. Roads and slug pellets take their toll as many die on the roads each year; the population is now thought to be less than 1 million and in free-fall.
However, one of the more interesting characteristics is the hedgehogs habit of curling into a ball when threatened by predators; both badgers (Meles meles) and to a lesser extent red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) will predate the hedgehog but neither do this commonly. The badger trick of unravelling curled hedgehogs is thought to be something badgers have to learn over time.
Excluding bats (Chiroptera), they are one of only two hibernating mammals in the UK; the other being the hazel dormouse (Muscardinius avellanarius). To survive a winter they need to weigh a minimum of approximately 650g as they burn energy slowly when hibernating. Their maximum recorded weight is 2kg but they are commonly between 400 - 1,200g.
However, one of the more interesting characteristics is the hedgehogs habit of curling into a ball when threatened by predators; both badgers (Meles meles) and to a lesser extent red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) will predate the hedgehog but neither do this commonly. The badger trick of unravelling curled hedgehogs is thought to be something badgers have to learn over time.
Excluding bats (Chiroptera), they are one of only two hibernating mammals in the UK; the other being the hazel dormouse (Muscardinius avellanarius). To survive a winter they need to weigh a minimum of approximately 650g as they burn energy slowly when hibernating. Their maximum recorded weight is 2kg but they are commonly between 400 - 1,200g.