The old Search Console history showed one clear evergreen topic: people were searching for hedgehog lifespan.
The short answer is that a wild European hedgehog often lives around two to five years, though some individuals can live longer. The first year is the most dangerous.
Why lifespan varies
The biggest risks are roads, garden machinery, pesticides, fences, lack of shelter, and food scarcity. Lifespan is not only a biology question.
It is also a habitat question.
What helps
Simple garden changes can reduce risk:
- leave a quiet corner with leaves or logs;
- avoid slug pellets and harsh pesticides;
- check before mowing or trimming;
- leave a small gap under fences;
- provide shallow water in dry weather.
What not to do
Do not give milk. It can cause digestive problems.
If a hedgehog is injured, very weak, fly-covered, or exposed in daylight without moving normally, contact a local wildlife rescue or veterinarian for advice.
