European Hedgehog

The European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is a hedgehog species native to Europe. It is a generally common and widely distributed species that can survive across a wide range of habitat types. It is a well-known species, and a favourite in European gardens, both for its appearance and its preference for eating a range of garden pests. 
Description
The European hedgehog appears brownish with most of its body covered by up to 6,000 brown and white spines.
Behaviour
The European hedgehog is Nocturnal. It has a hesitant gait, stopping to smell the air. Unlike the smaller, warmer-climate species, the European hedgehog may hibernate in the winter. However, most wake at least once to move their nests.
Diet
The European hedgehog is an insectivore. Its diet consists earthworms as well as snails and slugs, beetles, and caterpillars and other insect larvae. Eggs of birds are also taken, and carcasses may be foraged on. Plant matter appears to make up only a negligible part of the hedgehog's diet.
European hedgehogs may live to ten years of age. Starvation is the most common cause of death, usually occurring during hibernation. If alarmed, The hedgehog curls up into a ball to protect itself. Many predators are repelled by its spines, but predation does occur. Hedgehogs have been found in the stomachs of Red Foxes, European Badgers, and Pine Martens. 
Eurasian eagle-owls, and Golden eagles are the only regular avian predators of this species and may even prefer them as prey. The owl, after grabbing the hedgehog by its face, tends to skin the mammal's prickly back with its talons before consumption. In Spain, reduction of European rabbit numbers due to rabbit disease has made the European hedgehog one of the top preferred prey species for eagle-owls.