Unfortunately, as a defence strategy, spines are not what they used to be. A hedgehog’s natural predators will detect movement in the dark, so the tactic of staying still and curling up is very ...

This makes it extremely difficult for predators to attack or eat the hedgehog. Larger animals may attempt to paw at a curled-up hedgehog, but the protective spikes usually deter them. This ...

We’re not quite sure why the hedgehog does this: it might be an attempt to camouflage its own scent from predators, or it might be that spreading toxins on its spikes is a form of added protection.

Hedgehogs hibernate through winter, so they need a shelter from cold weather and hungry predators. They also need a spot to nest to rear their young. Follow our instructions on how to build a simple ...

In the 19th century, European settlers introduced hedgehogs to New Zealand to remind them of their homelands. With few predators and no competition, they have since spread throughout the country ...