The current endangerment levels of all species hedgehog & tenrec

Introduction

Hedgehogs and tenrecs may look alike at first glance, but they belong to entirely different families, each with its own unique evolutionary history. Despite their differences, they share a troubling reality: many of their species face growing threats in the wild. From African grasslands to European suburbs, and from Madagascar’s forests to Asian farmland, hedgehogs and tenrecs are experiencing population declines due to a combination of human activity, habitat loss, and environmental changes. Understanding their conservation status and endangerment levels is the first step toward protecting them for future generations.

Threats Leading to Population Declines

Hedgehogs and tenrecs face a variety of pressures that can differ depending on where they live, but the underlying causes often overlap. These threats are not isolated: they often act together, amplifying their impact and accelerating declines.

1. Habitat loss and fragmentation
   Urban expansion, agriculture, and infrastructure development continue to remove or break up natural habitats. For hedgehogs in Europe, suburban gardens and roadside verges may be their last refuges, but even these are shrinking. Tenrecs in Madagascar lose their forest habitats to slash-and-burn agriculture, logging, and charcoal production, forcing them into smaller and less suitable areas.
   
2. Road mortality and human-related accidents
   Roads and traffic pose a severe risk to hedgehogs, particularly in countries where they often cross between feeding and nesting areas. Tenrecs are less frequently victims of vehicle strikes, but they can still fall victim to human-related hazards such as traps or open wells.
   
3. Predation by introduced species
   In regions where predators such as dogs, cats, or mongooses have been introduced, native hedgehog and tenrec populations can face increased predation pressure. Young or weakened individuals are particularly vulnerable, and in areas without natural refuges, survival rates drop sharply.
   
4. Climate change and weather extremes
   Changing weather patterns disrupt natural cycles. For hedgehogs, unseasonably warm winters can interrupt hibernation, depleting fat reserves before spring. Tenrecs, many of which enter torpor during dry or cool seasons, may struggle when seasonal patterns shift, reducing the availability of food and water.
   
5. Pesticides, pollution, and food shortages
   The widespread use of pesticides diminishes insect populations: the main food source for both hedgehogs and many tenrecs. Exposure to toxic chemicals can also cause direct harm, leading to illness, reduced reproduction rates, and increased mortality.
   
6. Hunting, trade, and local consumption
   While hedgehogs are rarely hunted on a large scale, they may be taken for meat in some areas, and certain species have been caught for the exotic pet trade. In Madagascar, some tenrec species are traditionally hunted for food. Without sustainable management, such practices can severely reduce local populations.

Endangerment levels of hedgehogs

Species name	Endangerment level	Population trend	Last assessed	IUCN profile
Atelerix albiventris African pygmy hedgehog	Least concern	Stable	10 September 2016	Click here.
Atelerix algirus North African hedgehog	Least concern	Unknown	14 June 2016	Click here.
Atelerix frontalis South African hedgehog	Least Concern	Stable	10 September 2016	Click here.
Atelerix sclateri Somali hedgehog	Least Concern	Unknown	09 September 2016	Click here.
Erinaceus amurensis Amur hedgehog	Least Concern	Stable	07 August 2016	Click here.
Erinaceus concolor Southern white-breasted hedgehog	Least concern	Unknown	11 September 2016	Click here.
Erinaceus europaeus European hedgehog	Near Threatened	Decreasing	18 February 2023	Click here.
Erinaceus roumanicus Northern white-breasted hedgehog	Least Concern	Stable	07 September 2016	Click here.
Hemiechinus auritus Long-eared hedgehog	Least Concern	Unknown	11 September 2016	Click here.
Hemiechinus collaris Indian long-eared hedgehog	Least Concern	Unknown	31 January 2016	Click here.
Mesechinus dauuricus Daurian hedgehog	Least Concern	Stable	05 August 2016	Click here.
Mesechinus hughi Hugh’s hedgehog	Learn Concern	Decreasing	10 August 2016	Click here.
Mesechinus miodon Small-toothed forest hedgehog	Not Assessed	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mesechinus orientalis Eastern forest hedgehog	Not Assessed	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mesechinus wangi Gaoligong forest hedgehog	Not Assesed	N/A	N/A	N/A
Paraechinus aethiopicus Desert hedgehog	Least Concern	Stable	01 February 2016	Click here.
Paraechinus hypomelas Brandt’s hedgehog	Least Concern	Unknown	30 August 2016	Click here.
Paraechinus micropus Indian hedgehog	Least Concern	Decreasing	25 January 2016	Click here.
Paraechinus nudiventris Bare-bellied hedgehog	Least Concern	Unknown	11 January 2017	Click here.

Endangerment levels of tenrecs

Species name	Endangerment level	Population trend	Last assessed	IUCN profile
Echinops telfairi Lesser hedgehog tenrec	Least Concern	Stable	04 February 2015	Click here.
Hemicentetes nigriceps Highland streaked tenrec	Least Concern	Unknown	22 August 2014	Click here.
Hemicentetes semispinosus Lowland streaked tenrec	Least Concern	Unknown	28 September 2014	Click here.
Setifer setosus Greater hedgehog tenrec	Least Concern	Stable	04 February 2015	Click here.
Tenrec ecaudatus Common tenrec	Least Concern	Stable	30 August 2014	Click here.
Geogale auritus Large-eared tenrec	Least Concern	Unknown	28 September 2014	Click here.
Microgale brevicaudata Short-tailed shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	24 September 2014	Click here.
Microgale cowani Cowan’s shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	28 September 2014	Click here.
Microgale drouhardi Drouhard’s shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	04 February 2015	Click here.
Microgale dryas Dryad shrew tenrec	Vulnerable	Decreasing	16 August 2014	Click here.
Microgale fotsifotsy Pale shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	04 February 2015	Click here.
Microgale gracilis Gracile shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	04 February 2015	Click here.
Microgale grandidieri Grandidier’s shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Unknown	22 August 2014	Click here.
Microgale gymnorhyncha Naked-nosed shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	14 January 2015	Click here.
Microgale jenkinsae Jenkins’ shrew tenrec	Endangered	Decreasing	22 August 2014	Click here.
Microgale jobihely Northern shrew tenrec	Endangered	Unknown	20 August 2014	Click here.
Microgale longicaudata Lesser long-tailed shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	22 August 2014	Click here.
Microgale majori Major’s long-tailed tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	04 February 2015	Click here.
Microgale mergulus Web-footed tenrec	Vulnerable	Decreasing	22 August 2014	Click here.
Microgale monticola Montane shrew tenrec	Vulnerable	Stable	22 August 2014	Click here.
Microgale nasoloi Nasolo’s shrew tenrec	Vulnerable	Decreasing	22 August 2014	Click here.
Microgale parvula Pygmy shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	04 February 2015	Click here.
Microgale principula Greater long-tailed shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	04 February 2015	Click here.
Microgale pusilla Least shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Stable	04 February 2015	Click here.
Microgale soricoides Shrew-toothed shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	04 February 2015	Click here.
Microgale taiva Taiva shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	04 February 2015	Click here.
Microgale thomasi Thomas’ shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	04 February 2015	Click here.
Nesogale dobsoni Dobson’s shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	22 October 2014	Click here.
Nesogale talazaci Talazac’s shrew tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	28 September 2014	Click here.
Oryzorictes hova Mole-like rice tenrec	Least Concern	Decreasing	14 January 2015	Click here.
Oryzorictes tetradactylus Four-toed rice tenrec	Data Deficient	Unknown	22 August 2014	Click here.

Challenges in Monitoring Populations

Accurately assessing the conservation status of hedgehogs and tenrecs is far from straightforward. Both groups include species that are elusive, nocturnal, and live in habitats where systematic surveys are difficult. In many regions, reliable population data is limited to small study areas, making it challenging to form a complete picture. For tenrecs, the challenge is even greater: Madagascar’s diverse landscapes and limited research funding mean that many species remain poorly studied, and their true population trends are uncertain.

Citizen science has become an important tool for hedgehog monitoring, with public sightings contributing valuable data. However, this approach is less developed for tenrecs, where field research and community-based monitoring remain essential. Without consistent, long-term data, conservation priorities risk being set too late, when populations have already declined beyond recovery.

Differences in Conservation Approaches

Hedgehog conservation efforts often focus on habitat connectivity, wildlife-friendly gardening, and reducing road mortality through public awareness and infrastructure solutions. Because they live in both rural and urban settings, they can benefit from targeted action at a local community level.

Tenrec conservation, by contrast, is more closely tied to habitat protection at a landscape scale. Preserving Madagascar’s forests, wetlands, and grasslands not only safeguards tenrecs but also protects a vast array of other endemic wildlife. In some cases, community-based forest management and sustainable farming practices have proven effective in reducing habitat loss while supporting local livelihoods.

Why Status Awareness Matters

Knowing the current endangerment levels of each species is vital for prioritising conservation action. Some species may appear locally common yet be declining rapidly overall, while others may already be at critical thresholds. By identifying the most vulnerable species and understanding the threats they face, conservationists, policymakers, and the public can work together to reverse the trend.

The tables above detail the known endangerment level of each hedgehog and tenrec species.