Erinaceus

The Erinaceus genus contains four species of hedgehog, including those that live in Britain.

Erinaceus includes the Western European hedgehog. These are the native hedgehogs that are found in Britain’s fields, gardens and hedgerows. As well as this, they roam parts of Europe, and have been introduced into New Zealand.

Characteristics:

A faintly visible central parting of the spines at the crown of the head, short ears and a well-developed big toe on the hind foot. In addition, colouration can vary from dark brown through to pale, or even albino variations.

Species:

Scientific Name	Common Name	Found in
E. europeaus	Western European hedgehog	Britain, Ireland, southern Scandinavia, Western Europe, New Zealand*
E. concolor	Eastern European hedgehog	Eastern Europe
E. amurensis	Chinese hedgehog	China and the Korean Penisular

*introduced

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