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SPECIES PROFILE
Eastern Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor)
Erinaceus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Eastern Europe, SW Asia
DIET
Insectivorous
HABITAT
Deciduous forests, parks, gardens
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Eulipotyphla
FAMILY
Erinaceidae
GENUS
Erinaceus
📋 Description
SIZE
20-25 cm body, 680-900 g
COLORATION
Brown spines, white chest spot
ADAPTATIONS
Spines for defence, grass nests (no true burrows)
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Deciduous forests, parks, gardens
DIET
Insectivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Eastern Europe, SW Asia
REPRODUCTION
Up to 7 young after ~42 days (Mar-Jul)
DIET DETAILS
Insects, slugs, worms, snails
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Roads, habitat fragmentation
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Eastern hedgehogs are instantly recognisable by their bright white chest patch. They build large grass nests called hibernacula and never dig true burrows. They show surprising resistance to toxins from certain beetles that would kill other small mammals.
2
They hibernate November–March and can carry zoonotic diseases if handled, so they are best observed from a distance. They are common in Greek urban parks at night.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Hylli Forest Greece
Belgrade Forest Turkey
Mount Parnitha Greece
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Night walks in parks/forests; look for white chest patch.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Mar-Jul (nocturnal)
