Can Hedgehogs Dig Under Fences? (Fact Checked)

✅ Fact Checked
Updated on January 16, 2023
Michael Colt, Bachelor Computer Science Degree & Computer Engineering.
Written by
Michael Colt, Bachelor Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science.
Ella Williams
Fact Checked by
Ella Williams
Dr. Michael Colt is a highly qualified veterinarian and animal scientist. He has extensive knowledge and experience in the care and treatment of animals, and a deep understanding of the latest scientific research in the field. Dr. Colt is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of animals, and is committed to providing the highest level of care to his patients. Holds a Bachelors Degree in Veterinary Medicine from Middle Tennessee State University.

⭐ Fun Fact ⭐
Did you know that hedgehogs have a unique defense mechanism when threatened? When they feel threatened, they will roll into a tight ball, protecting their soft underbelly and vulnerable face with their spines. This behavior is called “unrolling” and it makes them almost impossible for predators to hurt them. In fact, the word “hedgehog” comes from “hedge” and “hog” which means “a hog that lives in the hedge.”
Hedgehogs are cute, spiky little creatures that can make great pets. But before you bring one home, it’s important to consider all aspects of their care, including their potential to dig under fences.

As natural diggers, hedgehogs have an instinctual urge to burrow and create underground homes. This behavior is perfectly normal in the wild, but in a domestic setting, it can lead to potential problems. For example, hedgehogs that dig under fences may escape and become lost or even endangered.

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If you’re considering bringing a hedgehog home, it’s important to understand their potential as diggers and how it may affect your backyard or garden. In this article, we’ll explore the topic of hedgehogs and digging under fences, including the natural behavior of hedgehogs, potential issues with fences, and solutions for preventing hedgehogs from digging under fences.

1Hedgehogs as Diggers

When it comes to hedgehogs, digging is a natural behavior that is hardwired into their instincts. These little creatures are skilled burrowers and they have the ability to create underground homes. In the wild, hedgehogs use their digging abilities to create dens to protect themselves from predators and to provide shelter from the elements.

However, when it comes to domestic hedgehogs, this natural behavior can lead to potential problems, such as escaping and becoming lost or even endangered.

It’s important to understand that hedgehogs have a strong urge to burrow and create underground homes. They will dig in any available substrate, including soil, wood chips, and even carpet. This urge can be so strong that hedgehogs have been known to dig through concrete floors and even walls.

For hedgehog owners, it’s important to provide an appropriate area or substrate for digging and burrowing. This could be an area of your yard or garden, or even a designated area in your home. Providing a digging area can help to satisfy their natural urge to burrow and prevent them from digging in unwanted areas.

It’s important to understand the natural behavior of hedgehogs as diggers and how it may translate to domestic hedgehogs, to take the necessary precautions and provide them the appropriate environment.

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2Hedgehogs and Fences

As natural diggers, hedgehogs have an instinctual urge to burrow and create underground homes. This behavior is perfectly normal in the wild, but in a domestic setting, it can lead to potential problems. One of the biggest issues is hedgehogs digging under fences and escaping, which can result in getting lost or even becoming endangered.

When it comes to fences, not all types are created equal when it comes to preventing hedgehogs from digging under. A solid wood or vinyl fence, for example, is less likely to be breached by a hedgehog than a chain-link fence. A fence with a concrete footing can also be more difficult for a hedgehog to dig under.

To prevent hedgehogs from digging under fences, there are a few solutions to consider. One option is to bury the fence at least 6 inches underground to make it more difficult for hedgehogs to dig under. Another is to install a barrier such as chicken wire at the base of the fence to prevent hedgehogs from digging.

It’s also important to provide an appropriate area or substrate for digging and burrowing in your yard or garden, as this can help to satisfy their natural urge to burrow and prevent them from digging in unwanted areas.

It’s important to understand hedgehogs natural behavior as diggers, and how it may translate to domestic hedgehogs, and take the necessary precautions and provide them the appropriate environment to prevent them from digging under fences and getting lost or becoming endangered.

3FAQ

What animal is digging holes under my fence?

Are you noticing holes appearing under your fence and wondering who or what could be causing them?
There are a variety of animals that are known for digging holes and burrowing under fences, and it can be tricky to determine the culprit just by looking at the holes alone.

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Some common suspects include:
Raccoons are known to dig holes in search of grubs and insects to eat. They also use burrows for dens to raise their young.
Skunks also dig holes in search of food and also use them as dens.
Opossums will also dig holes to use as dens and to search for food.
Armadillos are notorious for their digging behavior and are known to dig holes in search of grubs and insects to eat.
Hedgehogs as discussed in previous answers, hedgehogs are natural diggers and burrowers, so it is important to understand their natural behavior and to take precautions to prevent them from digging under fences and escaping.

If you’re still not sure what’s causing the holes, try setting up a trail camera to see if you can catch the culprit in the act.
It’s important to identify the animal and understand it’s behavior and habitat to take the necessary measures and prevent potential problems.

Can hedgehogs get under gates?

When it comes to hedgehogs and gates, the question on everyone’s mind is: Can they squeeze their way under?
The short answer is yes, hedgehogs are small and agile creatures and they can fit through small spaces, including gaps under gates.

But it’s important to remember that hedgehogs are also natural diggers and burrowers, so if a hedgehog finds a gap under a gate, it will likely try to dig and burrow under it as well. This is why it’s important to make sure that any gates or barriers you have in place are secure, with no gaps or holes that a hedgehog could use to squeeze through.

One way to ensure that hedgehogs can’t get under your gates is to install a barrier such as a plastic or metal sheet that extends a few inches underground. This will prevent hedgehogs from digging under the gate and getting through.

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It’s also important to remember that hedgehogs are wild animals, and it’s not recommended to keep them as pets, they can carry diseases and they require specific temperature and humidity requirements. So, it’s better to let them be in their natural habitat and enjoy them from a distance.

How deep do hedgehogs dig?

Hedgehogs are natural diggers and burrowers, but just how deep do they like to dig?
Well, it depends on the hedgehog and its specific needs. In the wild, hedgehogs will burrow and dig to create dens to raise their young and to protect themselves from predators. These burrows can be up to 3 feet deep and can have several chambers.

When it comes to domestic hedgehogs, they will also burrow and dig in their enclosures, but the depth of the burrow will depend on the enclosure setup and the hedgehog’s preferences. Some hedgehogs may only dig a shallow depression to rest in, while others may create a deeper burrow to sleep in.

It’s important to provide hedgehogs with a suitable environment that allows them to express their natural digging behavior, providing them with a digging box or substrate that they can dig into is a good way to do it.

It’s also important to note that hedgehogs are wild animals, and it’s not recommended to keep them as pets, they can carry diseases and they require specific temperature and humidity requirements. So, it’s better to let them be in their natural habitat and enjoy them from a distance.

Are hedgehogs good at digging?

When it comes to digging abilities, hedgehogs are definitely in the running for the gold medal. These little creatures have a natural inclination to burrow and dig, and they are pretty darn good at it.

In the wild, hedgehogs use their digging skills to create dens and burrows to raise their young, protect themselves from predators, and escape harsh weather conditions. They can dig complex burrow systems, with multiple chambers and tunnels, and they can dig to a depth of up to 3 feet!

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Domestic hedgehogs also enjoy digging, and if provided with a suitable environment and materials, they will happily create their own burrows and dens in their enclosures. They may dig shallow depressions to rest in or create deeper burrows to sleep in.

It’s important to provide hedgehogs with a suitable environment that allows them to express their natural digging behavior, providing them with a digging box or substrate that they can dig into is a good way to do it.

It’s also important to remember that hedgehogs are wild animals, and it’s not recommended to keep them as pets, they can carry diseases and they require specific temperature and humidity requirements. So, it’s better to let them be in their natural habitat and enjoy them from a distance.

4Conclusion

Lastly, hedgehogs are natural diggers and burrowers and their instincts may lead to potential problems when kept as pets. As hedgehog owners, it’s important to understand their natural behavior and to take precautions to prevent them from digging under fences and escaping. This can include providing an appropriate area for digging and burrowing, as well as installing secure fencing and barriers. By understanding the natural behavior of hedgehogs and taking the necessary precautions, hedgehog owners can ensure the safety and well-being of their pets.

In addition, it’s important to provide an appropriate environment and to understand the specific temperature and humidity requirements for hedgehogs as well as the potential diseases they can carry and the risk they pose to both the hedgehog and its owner.

Overall, owning a hedgehog is a big responsibility and requires a lot of effort, and understanding the hedgehogs natural behavior is an important aspect of that responsibility.

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