The hedgehog, a small mammal recognized globally for its coat of spines, often prompts concern about its long-term survival. Whether hedgehogs are endangered does not have a simple yes or no answer, as the term “hedgehog” encompasses 17 species across different continents. While some populations remain stable, many specific, widely recognized groups, particularly in Europe, are currently experiencing severe and rapid local declines. A species-by-species evaluation is necessary to understand the true conservation picture.
Conservation Status Varies by Species
The classification of hedgehogs varies significantly across the globe because the family Erinaceidae includes 17 species, each with its own geographic range and set of ecological pressures. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the global authority on the conservation status of species, reflects this variation. Most species, such as the Desert Hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus) found across the Sahara and Middle East, are currently classified as Least Concern.
The Four-toed Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) across central and eastern Africa is also listed as Least Concern, indicating a stable wild population. This designation means these species are not currently at risk of extinction. However, regional assessments reveal a more troubling trend for certain populations, highlighting that local human activity can rapidly change a species’ outlook.
Primary Drivers of Population Decline
The primary factors driving down hedgehog numbers are consistent across different species and geographies, stemming from human-caused changes to the environment. Habitat fragmentation is one of the most significant pressures, resulting from the loss of natural corridors like hedgerows and the construction of impermeable barriers such as fencing in gardens and new housing developments. Hedgehogs are wide-ranging foragers, often covering up to two kilometers per night in search of food and mates, a movement pattern that is disrupted by these fragmented landscapes.
Road mortality represents a major source of loss, as their nocturnal habits and defensive tendency to curl into a ball make them highly vulnerable to traffic. Roads not only kill individuals but also act as physical barriers, isolating small populations and reducing genetic diversity. In the UK alone, it is estimated that between 113,000 and 340,000 European hedgehogs are killed on roads every year. Finally, the increasing use of pesticides and molluscicides, such as slug pellets, directly impacts their survival by removing their primary food sources—invertebrates like earthworms and slugs—and also poses a risk of direct poisoning.
The European Hedgehog Decline
The Western European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), the species most familiar to people in the UK and much of Europe, serves as an example of a species in rapid decline. The IUCN recently updated its status from Least Concern to Near Threatened, reflecting a worsening trend. This shows a population reduction approaching or exceeding 30% over the last decade across its range. This decline is particularly severe in rural areas, where intensive agriculture has led to a loss of hedgerows and an increase in pesticide use, resulting in population drops of between 30% and 75% since the year 2000 in parts of the UK.
Urban and suburban areas are increasingly becoming refuges for the species. However, even these urban populations have experienced declines, estimated at between 16% and 33% over the past decade in some countries. The pressures in urban environments center on road traffic, fully enclosed gardens, and the “tidiness” of green spaces that remove potential nesting and foraging sites. The rapid reduction in numbers across multiple European countries, including Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, signals a widespread ecological problem driven by human development.
How the Public Can Aid Conservation
Individual action in gardens and local communities can play a significant role in mitigating the impact of habitat fragmentation on hedgehogs. Creating “Hedgehog Highways” is one of the most effective local strategies, involving cutting small access holes, ideally 13×13 centimeters, at the base of fences or walls. This allows free movement between gardens, reconnecting isolated foraging grounds and allowing the animals to find sufficient food and mates.
Homeowners can also provide safe harbor by leaving areas of their garden untended, such as log piles or dense shrubs, which offer sheltered spots for nesting and hibernation. It is also helpful to avoid the use of slug pellets and other garden chemicals, as these can poison hedgehogs directly or by removing their invertebrate prey. Furthermore, ensuring any garden ponds have a shallow exit ramp or a piece of wood extending to the edge prevents hedgehogs from drowning.