Introduction
The hedgehog is one of our most instantly recognisable native mammals, as it is the only British mammal to have spines. It is also characterised by its fairly short tail, long legs and small ears. Young hedgehogs are born with a coat of soft, white spines, which are underneath the skin to protect the mother during birth, but emerge after a few hours. A second coat of dark spines emerges after about 36 hours, and later on a third set develops. By 11 days of age the young hedgehogs can curl into a ball, and after 14 days the eyes open.

Way of life
Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, and can travel up to one to two kilometres per night whilst foraging for food.Hedgehogs are good swimmers, can run fairly quickly, and are well known for their habit of rolling into a tight ball when threatened. 😂

Something Unique
Like other hedgehogs, this species has the peculiar habit of 'self-anointing', in which the hedgehog produces a large amount of foamy saliva and licks the saliva over its spines. The purpose of this behaviour is a mystery, but it can be triggered by strong smells, new foods, and the presence of other hedgehogs. (I'm guessing it's for mating, to draw attention of the opposite sex perhaps.)

Habitat
The hedgehog occupies a range of lowland habitats with enough cover to allow nesting. It is common in parks, farmland and gardens.

Threat
Historically, hedgehogs have been persecuted as vermin; between 1566 and 1863, churchwardens made payments for hedgehogs killed in their parish. Today, a number of factors are thought to pose threats to hedgehogs, including agricultural changes such as pesticide use and the loss of hedgerows and grasslands, drowning in garden ponds, falling into cattle grids, road deaths, poisoning by garden chemicals, and deaths caused by mowing machines. However, their population is by no means threatened and there is no fear of extinction.

Source : https://www.arkive.org/hedgehog/erinaceus-europaeus/image-A23197.html
accessed 5/06/2018