Hedgehogs spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping because they are nocturnal creatures that only become active at night. One of the most critical questions for prospective and new hedgehog owners is whether wild hedgehogs create burrows to sleep in during the daytime.

This article delves into the question “Do Hedgehogs Burrow?” by revealing whether wild hedgehogs dig holes in the ground or find alternative sources of housing during the daytime to escape the attention of predators.

Do Hedgehogs Burrow?

Hedgehogs may burrow to make holes for daytime rest while others create nests from grasses in the wild. Domesticated breeds instinctively dig around in their cages whenever they make physical contact with soft surfaces as a form of exercise, to search for food, or to escape potentially threatening situations.

Burrowing or digging is an impulsive behavior in these creatures and should not spook owners into panic mode just yet. Digging behavior should rather be encouraged because it is one of the best pastimes for hedgehogs.

Burrowing Among Wild Hedgehogs

European Hedgehogs are endowed with five-toe front feet that enable digging in the wild for a variety of reasons a few of which are listed below:

Nests

Hedgehogs primarily create nests from grasses and leaves but a few species survive by digging holes in the ground for resting during the daytime. The grasses and leaves also provide warmth when temperatures plummet during winter.

This explains why hedgehog houses are recommended as soon as you notice these creatures visiting your garden.

For wild hedgehogs that create burrows underground, the holes also come in handy during winter when hibernation occurs to conserve food, water, and energy. Others may find old rabbit holes to nest in instead of creating one from scratch.

Food

Hedgehogs thrive on a diet rich in insects like slugs, frogs, earthworms, spiders, and larvae. A majority of these organisms live underneath the soil so digging for food comes naturally to them. According to experts, hedgehogs can smell bugs as far as 3 inches underneath the ground and digging provides quick access.

Self-Made Hedgehog Highways

It is not uncommon for hedgehogs to try to dig their way into gardens after encountering obstacles like boundary fences. They do this by scraping the fence for access to the targeted garden and this explains why we recommend offering better access by creating sizable hedgehog highways for them to travel in and out of your property without obstacles.

The highways enable hedgehogs to not only find food and water but promote access to partners during mating season. This ensures the nightly visitors are motivated not to stop visiting your property.

Burrowing In Domesticated Hedgehogs

Burrowing is not only restricted to wild hedgehogs because domesticated breeds also burrow instinctively. It is not uncommon for them to dig various areas of their cages when hungry with the hope of finding food.

Hedgehogs may also burrow to the bottom of their enclosures as a response to fearful situations, particularly when they are in unfamiliar environments. Loud noises may stress hedgehogs to burrow to the bottom of their enclosures as a means of escape especially when there are no cage hideouts.

Many hedgehog owners choose paper-based bedding to encourage burrowing among their pets since it seemingly makes them happier.

Do Caged Hedgehogs Need Dig Boxes?

Dig boxes can be a great way to encourage digging behavior in domesticated hedgehogs. Not only do these boxes provide tasty treats but they also offer mental stimulation to eliminate boredom and stress while putting caged hedgehogs in tune with their natural survival instincts in the wild.

Dig boxes are special boxes lined with paper bedding or small strips of fleece featuring treats at the bottom. Hedgehogs are placed in these boxes to encourage digging through the fleece or other fabric to pick up the hidden treats.

Dig boxes can stimulate happiness even in the angriest of hedgehogs while strengthening bonds with new owners and speeding up their settling-in period after arrival in a new home. Mealworms are a great option when it comes to treats and we recommend cutting up 2-3 mealworms into small pieces for easy ingestion into the dig box.

Additional components of hedgehog dig boxes are listed below:

• Paper bedding
• Stripped fleece
• Hedgehog toys
• Strips of non-scented tissue paper
• Clean pebbles
• Shredded old newspapers
• Pom poms
• Baby blankets

How Large Are Hedgehog Burrows?

Hedgehog burrows can be as deep as 20-30 inches at varying diameters depending on the breed. Unlike the holes made by other wild creatures, hedgehog burrows often come with a gentle slope and they only go through the hustle of digging their own holes when there are none in the area to be exploited.

Hedgehogs enjoy taking possession of holes created and abandoned by squirrels, moles, and other wild creatures.

What Animal Is Digging Holes In My Garden At Night?

Different animals could be responsible for the holes in your garden besides hedgehogs and since some of these holes could be destructive, it is vital to figure them out so the necessary precautions can be taken for eradication.

Moles

Moles are infamous for making landscape-wrecking holes throughout the properties they visit. Their holes are identified by fresh piles of the earth which can mess up your lawn aesthetics. However, moles are also known for enriching the soils where they create burrows so maybe they are a necessary evil in backyard gardens.

Squirrels

Many breeds of squirrels around the world create burrows for nesting while others stash their food in deep holes after foraging. Squirrel holes are characterized by traces of fruits and nuts underneath the holes.

Rats

Rats are committed diggers that create deep burrows for nesting underground for comfort during colder periods of the year. They are characterized by fresh soil at the entrance of the burrows which are often circular in diameter.

It is not uncommon for rats to dig holes underneath garden fences to create access to targeted land.

Mice

Mice are also common culprits that dig tunnels for underground movements and nesting. They prefer digging well-hidden holes by creating openings close to the roots of trees or other spots which can be easily camouflaged with leaves and debris.

Foxes and Badgers

Foxes and badgers are also guilty of creating holes in backyard gardens. Foxes, in particular, prefer building their dens underneath large trees or tree stumps. These nests serve as the perfect spots for raising their young ones away from the prying eyes of common predators.

The presence of large trees, tree stumps, and old fallen logs on your property could make it an attractive destination for foxes. (Source)

How Do I Discourage Animals From Digging Holes in My Garden?

There are several ways to discourage digging by unwanted animals in your backyard garden and a few are listed below.

Spice Scents

The majority of garden diggers like squirrels, mice, and moles may be discouraged from your property by covering with spicy scents. Growing plants like peppermint, garlic, black pepper, and cinnamon can drive the majority of these creatures away.

Clearing Fallen Fruits

Picking up fallen fruits and nuts from your property daily could also rob squirrels and other creatures of access to food. The probability of leaving your property becomes high eliminating the need for digging holes.

Old CDs

The reflective sides of old CDs can also come in handy when trying to discourage birds and other creatures from your property. These CDs can scare them off when placed at vantage points in backyard gardens.

Conclusion: Do Hedgehogs Burrow?

Hedgehogs are natural diggers that may burrow for food, free movements, or nesting areas depending on their breed and nature of habitat in the wild. Burrowing comes instinctively to them but they won’t hesitate to take over abandoned burrows created by other animals.

Caged hedgehogs can burrow for warmth or food when hungry. In the absence of hideouts, they may also burrow to hide from perceived dangers like loud noises and attempts by strangers to handle them.