Hedgehogs are adorable small mammals, beloved for their unique appearance covered in spines and their ability to curl up into a ball for self-protection . They primarily inhabit forests, grasslands, and farmlands , and some people keep them as pets. However, many people are curious about their diet: what do hedgehogs eat? Are they carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores?
In fact, hedgehogs are typical omnivores , feeding on insects, small invertebrates, fruits, and vegetables. This article will explore the types of food hedgehogs eat in the wild and in captivity , and provide suggestions for the scientific feeding of hedgehogs.
1. Dietary characteristics of hedgehogs
1.1 Hedgehogs are omnivores.
Hedgehogs have a very wide range of diets, including both animal foods (such as insects and snails) and plant foods (such as fruits and seeds).
In the wild , hedgehogs prefer to eat protein-rich insects and small animals.
In captivity , they can be provided with a variety of foods, including commercial feed, vegetables, and fruits.
1.2 Nocturnal predators
Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals ; they spend most of the day resting and only come out to forage at night.
They rely primarily on their sense of smell and hearing to find food, rather than sight.
Hedgehogs like to burrow into grass and rummage through fallen leaves to find insects and small animals on the ground or underground.
2. What do hedgehogs eat in the wild?
In their natural environment, hedgehogs have a very diverse diet, mainly consisting of insects and small invertebrates , while also consuming some plant-based foods.
2.1 Insects and small invertebrates (staple food)
Hedgehogs prefer to prey on various insects and invertebrates, which are their main source of protein.
Beetles (such as click beetles and ground beetles)
Ants, earthworms, snails, worms
locusts, crickets, grasshoppers
Spiders, centipedes
✅These insects are rich in protein and nutrients, which help hedgehogs maintain their health and energy.
2.2 Small vertebrates (supplementary food)
Although hedgehogs primarily feed on insects, they will also prey on small vertebrates when food is scarce, such as:
small lizard
Young mice (occasionally)
Bird eggs (may be stolen and eaten after discovery)
