European hedgehog, France 21 Apr 2026

European hedgehog, France

Spring arrives with a small, spiky ambassador: the European hedgehog, spotted here in France. Part cuddle, part survival gear, this tiny forager is mostly nocturnal and usually solitary, guided mainly by smell and sound. Its job description is simple: roam, sniff through leaf litter and vacuum up invertebrates like worms, beetles, slugs and caterpillars—the kind of snacks that keep ecosystems running and gardeners smiling. When danger shows up, it doesn"t negotiate or flee. It curls into a tight ball and lets its spines do the talking.

© Klein & Hubert/Nature Picture Library

palette

Today in History

Rugged rocks and ancient history
21 Apr 2024London Marathon
21 Apr 2025International Dark Sky Week

More Desktop Wallpapers:

A beacon in the golden light
11 May 2024World Migratory Bird Day
23 Jun 2024Dhaka, Bangladesh
19 Oct 2024International Archaeology Day
6 Feb 20262026 Winter Olympics
12 Dec 2023Reed bunting
11 May 2025Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada
3 Apr 2026Armbrug bridge, Amsterdam, Netherlands
4 Jan 2026Kings Mountain, Chugach Mountains, Alaska, United States
25 Feb 2025Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States
5 Nov 2023Guy Fawkes Night
10 Feb 2025Art installation of umbrellas, Borough Market, London, England
15 Apr 2024World Art Day
Celebrating our looming lunar neighbour
A high-flying royal tradition
How can we help at-risk animals?
22 Dec 2023December solstice
The Old Bridge, reborn
20 Jun 2025Maasai giraffe mother with calf in the Serengeti, Tanzania
3 Jul 2025Rainbow River, Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida, United States
30 Oct 2024Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
24 Dec 2023Christmas Eve
Come on, guys, this way!
In fine feather
23 Mar 2025World Meteorological Day
17 Apr 2025Andean cocks-of-the-rock, Ecuador
14 Feb 2024Valentines Day
24 Sep 2023World Rivers Day
20 Apr 2024Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Giants of the Southern Ocean