In Britain it is found almost everywhere except for some of the Scottish Islands, but tends to be scarce or absent from wet areas and also from pine forests. Uplands and mountains are not popular, probably because they lack both suitable food and suitable nesting places. Hedgehogs are well established in our urban habitat and can, somewhat surprisingly, survive very well in our cities, making extremely good use of cemeteries, railway land, wasteland and both public and private gardens. These are absent from the chest, belly throat and legs which are covered with a coarse, grey-brown fur.
Beetles are a major food item along with catepillars and earthworms.
Most people are aware that Hedgehogs are basically insect eaters. However, many householders put out a saucer of cat or dog food for their garden friends. Always ensure that a dish of water of available especially during the summer months or in extreme weather conditions. The hedgehog will treat this as a welcome supplement to its normal diet and will not go hungry if, for some reason, the food is not put out. The best ways of assisting Hedgehogs are by helping them avoid man-made hazards and providing them with suitable places to nest, especially in winter.