"Hedgehogs are insectivores. Their diet consists largely of beetles, caterpillars, and earthworms. They also eat a wide variety of other insects such as millipedes and earwigs, the larvae of the crane-fly, slugs and snails. Woodlice, although abundant, do not seem particularly appealing to most hedgehog palates, although they will eat ground beetles and millipedes, both of which are distasteful to other animals. Hedgehogs have also been known to eat dead bees and to jump in the air to catch moths. Though there may be some dietary differences due to availability of prey, in general their diet is similar regardless of species or geographical location.

"Whilst primarily dependent on an invertebrate diet, hedgehogs occasionally eat carrion, small mammals, and tiny nestlings on the ground. They sometimes eat birds' eggs and have made some enemies because of this - they have been accused of significantly lowering bird populations in some areas. In experiments carried out at the WHH, hedgehogs showed no interest in hen or quail eggs unless the eggs were broken open first. They seemed unable to open these eggs themselves, and showed no interest in even attempting to do so. It could be that hedgehogs have been blamed for cleaning up nests where the eggs have been broken open by other predators. Hedgehogs are also partial to various fruits, especially grapes and apples, although this is not a significant part of their diet."