On the food of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europeaeus L. 1758) . Studies of stomach contents of hedgehogs from Schleswig-Holstein
Grosshans, W.
Zoologischer Anzeiger 211(5-6): 364-384
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-5231 Accession: 006678914
The food contents of stomachs and intestines of 134 hedgehogs (E. europaeus L. 1758) from Schleswig-Holstein (northern part of West Germany) were analyzed. Of these, 9 were empty: the remaining 125 were examined on a percentage occurrence basis. Of those, 57 were treated quantitatively (number of prey individuals and relative volume of some prey groups). The groups most frequently found were beetles (in 97% of the examined digestive tracts), dermaptera (82%), diplopoda (69%), larval lepidoptera (67%) and earthworms (53%). The most important groups quantitatively were the beetles (17% relative amount of volume), parts of plants (12%), larval lepidoptera (11%) and dermaptera (10%). Vertebrates turned out to be insignificant as food of hedgehogs; no proof of bird's eggs could be found. The ecological significance of the hedgehog in its natural habitat is based on its adaptability to fluctuations in prey populations. Thus it contributes to the stability of its own biocenose.
