Erinaceus europaeus

Hedgehog

Family: Erinaceidae

Origin: Europe

A hedgehog on the grass.
Hedgehogs were introduced to New Zealand by British colonists in the 1870s to remind them of home.
Photo credit: Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai

Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status

  • Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice pest
  • Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area pest — Site-led
  • Whole region — Sustained control

View more about the RPMP statuses

General description

Small, brown to grey insectivorous mammal with spiny coat.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment:

  • You must not breed, distribute, release or sell any hedgehog within the Auckland region.

Habitats

Forest, scrub, sand dunes, urban gardens, plantations, pasture, orchards.

Impact on environment

Eats native invertebrates, ground-nesting birds' eggs and small reptiles. Vector for a variety of diseases, including bovine TB.

Control

Management

If you see a hedgehog on a pest-free island within the Tīkapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf, please report it to Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Please refer to the Pest animal control guidelines for information on how to control hedgehogs, or contact Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

A hedgehog navigating the sandy dunes.
Hedgehogs are a nocturnal mammal.
Photo credit: Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai
A hedgehog curled up in the palm of someone's gloved hand.
They are grey brown in colour.
Photo credit: Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai