Hedgehog Population by Country 2025

Max Population

10M

15M

20M

25M

30M

35M

40M

45M

50M

5 Countries with the Highest Max Hedgehog Population

France

Country	Minimum Population↓	Max Population	Dominant Species	Additional Details
New Zealand	10M	50M	Erinaceus europaeus (European hedgehog)	Introduced population, considered a conservation concern due to predation on native fauna.
China	1M	5M	Erinaceus amurensis (Amur hedgehog)	Primarily found in northern and eastern China.\| Primarily the Amur hedgehog (Erinaceus amurensis), data scarce
United Kingdom	1M	2M	Erinaceus europaeus (European hedgehog)	England 1,100,000, Scotland 310,000, Wales 140,000
Russia	500K	2M	Primarily the Northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor)	Data scarce
Germany	500K	1.5M		Potential decline, limited data
France	500K	2M		Potential decline, limited data
Poland	500K	2M		Potential decline, limited data
Italy	200K	1M		Potential decline, limited data
Ukraine	200K	1M		Potential decline, limited data
Iran	100K	500K	Paraechinus hypomelas (Brandt's hedgehog)	Primarily found in arid and semi-arid regions.
South Korea	100K	500K	Erinaceus amurensis (Amur hedgehog)	Data very scarce, potential presence based on limited distribution information.
Spain	100K	500K		Potential decline, limited data
Afghanistan	100K	500K	Hemiechinus auritus (Long-eared hedgehog)	Data very scarce, potential presence based on limited distribution information.
North Korea	100K	500K	Erinaceus amurensis (Amur hedgehog)	Data very scarce, potential presence based on limited distribution information.
Kazakhstan	100K	500K	Hemiechinus auritus (Long-eared hedgehog)	Primarily found in steppes and deserts.
Czech Republic	100K	500K		Potential decline, limited data
Belarus	100K	500K
Mongolia	100K	500K	Hemiechinus auritus (Long-eared hedgehog)	Primarily found in steppes and deserts.
Netherlands	50K	200K		Potential decline, limited data
Denmark	50K	200K		Potential decline, limited data

Population values shown are estimates expressed as a range, with the minimum and maximum values displayed.

The exact number of hedgehogs is unknown because they’re isn’t robust way to track the population.

The hedgehog population is on the decline due to few hedgerows and grasslands, which gives them fewer places to find food and cover from predators.

A total of twenty-three living hedgehog species exist in Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand.

The estimate is that 1.5 million hedgehogs live in Great Britain - 1.1 million in England, 310,000 in Scotland, and 140,000 in Wales.

The European hedgehog is the largest species, can weigh over four pounds, and has between 5,000 and 6,500 quills.

Europeans introduced hedgehogs to New Zealand as a reminder of home when so far away from Europe. There are now more European hedgehogs in New Zealand in actual Europe.

The hedgehog has overpopulated New Zealand to the point where they’ve become pests due to not having any natural predators. Hedgehogs eat native species of insects, snails, lizards, and baby ground-nesting birds.

The African pygmy hedgehog, or the four-toed hedgehog, is the smallest species of hedgehog. Africa’s hedgehog population is stable, with owls, foxes, and other predators being its only threat.

Native to Central America and parts of the Middle East, the long-eared hedgehogs live in burrows that they dug themselves or found.

The long-eared hedgehog is prone to carrying parasites and diseases, including the plague, and can transfer them to humans.

The desert hedgehog can be found in many countries, including the Middle East. The desert hedgehog has a band across its face and a wide muzzle, which makes it distinguishable from the long-eared species.

Hugh’s hedgehog, also known as the central Chinese hedgehog, is native to China and Manchuria and has long snouts that help them hunt. The central Chinese hedgehog prefers dry steppes but is found in scrublands and forests.