Hedgehogs are primarily insectivores in the wild, which means they feast on lots of creepy crawlies. These spiky little mates love munching on beetles, caterpillars, worms, and other small invertebrates.
A healthy hedgehog diet needs to be high in protein and low in fat. This matches what they’d naturally eat when foraging in gardens and bushland.
These clever creatures are actually omnivores and will eat more than just insects. They sometimes snack on small prey like young rodents, toads, and birds’ eggs when they get the chance.
Key nutritional needs:
- High-quality protein
- Low fat content
- Essential vitamins and minerals
- Fresh water daily
Like other animals, hedgehogs need a balanced mix of nutrients including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals. The insects they eat provide most of these nutrients naturally.
Pet hedgehogs can eat specially made hedgehog food, but they still need some variety in their diet. Adding insects like mealworms or crickets helps keep them happy and healthy.
Remember to avoid feeding hedgehogs milk or bread – these aren’t part of their natural diet and can make them sick.
Hedgehogs in New Zealand
European hedgehogs arrived in New Zealand during the 1870s and have since spread across the country. These spiny mammals have adapted well to Kiwi environments but their eating habits pose significant problems for native wildlife.
Introduction to New Zealand Hedgehogs
European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) were brought to New Zealand by British settlers who wanted to remind themselves of home. They quickly established themselves throughout both main islands.
These small, nocturnal creatures weigh between 500-1000 grams and have distinctive spines covering their backs.
Some unique populations exist in New Zealand, including albino hedgehogs found in north Taranaki.
Habitat and Distribution
Hedgehogs thrive across diverse New Zealand landscapes. They prefer areas with plenty of ground cover and food sources.
They commonly inhabit grasslands, braided riverbeds, and drier forest areas. You’ll often spot them in:
- Suburban gardens
- Farmland
- Open grassland
- Forest edges
- River margins
They need access to water but generally avoid getting too wet.
Environmental Impact
Hedgehogs eat many native creatures, including rare beetles, grasshoppers, and weta. A single hedgehog’s stomach can contain hundreds of weta legs.
Their diet includes:
- Native insects and invertebrates
- Lizards and skinks
- Ground-nesting birds’ eggs
- Young chicks
- Frogs and mice
Female hedgehogs seem particularly fond of lizards, with studies showing they eat three times more than males.
Hedgehogs as Pests
These animals pose serious threats to ground-nesting birds like banded dotterels and black-fronted terns. They raid nests for eggs and chicks.
While gardeners once valued hedgehogs for eating garden pests, we now know they cause more harm than good by decimating native wildlife populations.
Their impact extends beyond birds to rare native insects and reptiles.
Conservation Efforts
The Department of Conservation (DOC) manages hedgehog control programmes throughout New Zealand. Their efforts focus on protecting vulnerable species in key areas.
Control methods include:
- Live trapping
- Targeted removal from sensitive areas
- Monitoring of affected species
- Protection of nesting sites
Many community groups work alongside DOC to reduce hedgehog numbers in their local areas.
Feeding Habits and Preferences
Hedgehogs are mostly insectivorous and rely on their keen sense of smell to locate food. These fascinating creatures have specific preferences for certain prey items while avoiding others.
Typical Diet in the Wild
Hedgehogs eat a wide variety of invertebrates, with beetles, caterpillars, earwigs, and worms making up most of their meals. They need a diet that’s high in protein and low in fat.
These spiky mates aren’t picky eaters and will happily munch on:
- Ground-dwelling insects
- Beetles and their larvae
- Caterpillars
- Earwigs
- Small lizards
- Bird eggs
- Baby birds
- Frogs
Foraging and Hunting Behaviour
Hedgehogs are nocturnal hunters who come out after dark to search for food. They use their excellent sense of smell to find prey hiding in grass and under leaves.
Each hedgehog develops unique food preferences as they age, often choosing larger prey items as they get older. They might ignore abundant creatures like slaters and earthworms in favour of their preferred snacks.
These clever hunters can travel up to 2-3 kilometres each night while foraging. They’re particularly fond of areas with lots of insects, like gardens and grasslands.
Specific Dietary Needs
A hedgehog’s diet needs careful planning to match what they would naturally eat in the wild, with the right balance of protein and nutrients at each life stage.
Nutritional Requirements
High protein and low fat form the foundation of a healthy hedgehog diet. They need protein levels between 30-35% and fat content below 15%.
Hedgehogs require a mix of:
- Fresh water daily
- High-quality protein from insects
- Limited healthy fats
- Small amounts of fruit and veg
- Essential vitamins and minerals
In New Zealand’s wild areas, hedgehogs naturally eat insects and small animals. Pet hedgehogs need a similar nutritional profile through specially formulated food.
Hedgehog Life Stages and Diet
Baby hedgehogs need extra protein and more frequent meals. They should eat 4-5 small meals daily until weaning.
Adult hedgehogs typically eat once or twice per day. Their portion sizes depend on activity levels and whether they’re preparing for hibernation.
During the weeks before hibernation, hedgehogs need extra food to build fat reserves. This helps them survive their long sleep.
Pregnant and nursing hedgehogs need additional protein and calories. Their food intake might double during these demanding times.
Impact on Local Fauna
Hedgehogs in New Zealand hunt both during the day and night, causing serious harm to many unique native animals. Their eating habits create major problems for conservation efforts across the country.
Dangers to Native Fauna
Hedgehogs eat hundreds of wētā in a single night. Scientists found 283 wētā legs in just one hedgehog’s stomach.
These spiky predators love to munch on rare native centipedes and special endemic snails. The Wainuia urnula snail and young Powelliphanta snails are favourite meals.
Ground-nesting birds face big troubles from hedgehogs too. In the MacKenzie Basin, hedgehogs cause 20% of all predator attacks on bird nests. They eat both eggs and baby birds.
Hedgehog Predators in New Zealand
Natural predators help control hedgehog numbers in NZ’s ecosystems. Dogs and cats often chase and catch hedgehogs, especially at night.
Ferrets and stoats sometimes attack young or weak hedgehogs. These predators can break through the spiky defence.
Cars are actually the biggest threat to hedgehogs. Many get hit on roads while searching for food at night.
Human Interaction and Management
The relationship between humans and hedgehogs in New Zealand involves both positive and negative aspects. People play a big role in managing hedgehog populations and their impact on native wildlife.
Attracting Hedgehogs to Gardens
Many Kiwis still view hedgehogs as helpful garden pest controllers. Some people leave out food and create sheltered areas to attract them.
Building brush piles, log stacks, or compost heaps can create cosy habitats that hedgehogs love. They’ll often visit gardens with dense ground cover and plenty of insects.
Common attractants include:
- Cat or dog food left outdoors
- Shallow water dishes
- Natural hiding spots under shrubs
- Fallen fruit and berries
Managing Wild Hedgehog Populations
Hedgehogs harm native wildlife by eating endangered species and ground-nesting birds’ eggs. This makes population control essential for conservation.
The Department of Conservation uses DOC 150 and DOC 200 traps in key conservation areas. These traps help protect vulnerable native species.
Local councils and community groups run trapping programmes to reduce hedgehog numbers in suburban areas. They focus on places where hedgehogs might threaten native wildlife.
Effective control methods:
- Live capture traps
- Exclusion fencing
- Removing attractants like fallen fruit
- Regular monitoring of hedgehog activity
Curiosities About Hedgehogs
These spiky mammals have fascinating traits and habits that help them survive in New Zealand’s diverse landscapes. They’ve developed unique behaviours since their introduction from Britain and show remarkable adaptability.
Unique Behaviours and Traits
Hedgehogs curl into tight balls when they feel threatened, using their spines for protection. These clever creatures are excellent climbers and can scale vertical surfaces.
These night-time wanderers travel up to 2-3 kilometres each evening searching for food. During winter months in cold areas like the Mackenzie Basin, they enter a state of torpor to conserve energy.
Their keen sense of smell helps them find food in the dark. They’ll often follow the same routes night after night, creating little hedgehog highways through gardens and grasslands.
Surprising Facts
Female hedgehogs are more skilled hunters than males – they’re three times more likely to catch lizards than their male counterparts.
These adaptable eaters aren’t picky – they’ll munch on almost anything they find. While insects make up most of their diet, they also eat:
- Frogs and small mice
- Bird eggs and chicks
- Lizards and skinks
- Berries and mushrooms
Despite their cute appearance, hedgehogs can have a big impact on native wildlife. They’re particularly active in braided riverbeds where many native birds nest.
They can swim quite well, though they prefer to stay on dry land. Their spines are actually modified hairs that are replaced throughout their lives.