Hedgehog against a snake. This is not just a plot for an old Soviet cartoon. In the wild, such a meeting is a real battle of characters. Who wins? The spiky ball or the slippery threat? Myths portray the hedgehog as a fearless winner over vipers. But what is the truth? Let's figure it out without fairy tales. And I warn you right away: the truth will be more complicated and more interesting than any legend.

First myth: the hedgehog eats snakes like seeds

It is often said: the hedgehog is the main enemy of vipers. He catches them, kills them, eats them. And that's why it is useful to attract hedgehogs to the garden. There is a grain of truth here. The hedgehog can indeed attack a small or weakened snake. He does this skillfully: first, he chokes the snake with his paws, then he bites the spine with sharp teeth. There are cases when a hedgehog ate a viper, leaving only the head with venomous teeth. But this is not the rule, but the exception. The main diet of the hedgehog is not snakes, but beetles, caterpillars, snails, worms, occasionally frogs. A snake is a heavy and dangerous prey, for which the hedgehog goes only in cases of extreme hunger or desperation. A large adult viper can attack a hedgehog, and the outcome is not obvious.

Studies by zoologists show that snakes are found in less than 2 percent of hedgehogs' stomachs. That is, the hedgehog is not a snake eater by nature. He is more of an opportunist: if a small snake comes along, he will eat it. If not, he will live happily without it.

Second myth: the hedgehog is not afraid of snake venom

This is the most enduring myth. It is said that the hedgehog has immunity to the venom of the viper, so he dares to enter into battle. And again, the truth is more complicated. The hedgehog does indeed have partial resistance to venom. Due to the special structure of the receptors of the nervous system to which snake toxins are attached, the venom acts more slowly on the hedgehog than on a mouse or a person. But it acts. If a viper bites the hedgehog in a soft part of the body - the snout, belly, paw - he will get sick. The hedgehog will have swelling, fever, weakness. If the bite is on the spikes - the venom will not get into the blood, and everything will be fine. But if the snake bites the snout, a small hedgehog can die. Large hedgehogs usually survive, but suffer greatly. So immunity is not absolute.

Moreover, there is data that the hedgehog produces antibodies after several encounters with a viper. That is, a hedgehog that has been sick once becomes almost insensitive. But such an experience is only gained by old animals. Young hedgehogs often die from snake bites. So the hedgehog is not an immortal warrior, but a cautious fighter who knows his vulnerable spots.

How does the real battle look like

Imagine: a sunny morning on a forest clearing. A viper is basking on a stone. A hedgehog, returning from his night hunt, comes out onto the same clearing. Who will notice the opponent first? The snake sees movement, adopts a threatening posture, hisses. The hedgehog is alert, rolls into a ball, but does not run away. What happens next is possible.

Variant one: the hedgehog slowly approaches, trying to bite the snake's head. The snake strikes back, but its teeth slide over the spikes. The hedgehog gets closer, catches the moment, and bites the snake's neck. The snake twists, strikes with its tail, but after a minute it is dead. The hedgehog eats it, starting with the head.

Variant two: the snake is large and aggressive. It throws itself at the hedgehog, trying to bite it in the unprotected snout. The hedgehog dodges, jumps back. If the snake reaches the snout, the hedgehog gets a dose of venom. He retreats into the bushes, where he heals the wound for several days. Sometimes he dies.

Variant three: the snake and the hedgehog part ways peacefully. No one needs to get involved with such an uncomfortable opponent. The hedgehog changes his route, the snake retreats into a burrow. In the wild, this is the most common outcome.

What snakes does the hedgehog eat

In the central part of Russia, the main snake victim is the common viper. This is a relatively small snake, up to 60 centimeters long, with venomous but short teeth. The hedgehog can handle it. But there are other species. Water snakes? The hedgehog eats them with pleasure, they are not venomous and less dangerous. The grass snake? Also on the menu. But with large snakes - for example, with the garter snake in the south or with the tiger snake in the Far East - the hedgehog prefers not to get involved. The risk is too great. Also, the hedgehog never touches snakes longer than himself. Instinct tells him: this prey is not within reach.

Interestingly, in Australia, where very venomous snakes live, local echidnas (closely related to hedgehogs) almost never hunt reptiles. Evolution has made them insectivorous. And in Europe, the hedgehog and the viper have evolved in parallel, so the hedgehog has developed partial protection against venom.

Hedgehog and snake: who is afraid of whom in reality

Strangely enough, but a fact: the snake is afraid of the hedgehog more than the hedgehog is afraid of the snake. To the snake, the hedgehog is a living thorny trap. If it hits and hits the spikes, it will injure its mouth, break its teeth. Moreover, the hedgehog is fast and unexpected. The snake relies on ambush, while the hedgehog is an active predator. Therefore, when they meet, most snakes try to crawl away. And the hedgehog, in turn, does not rush at the snake head-on. He assesses the distance, size, and likelihood of success.

Zoologists have observed a scene in Central Russia: a hedgehog and a viper met on a path. For several minutes they stood still. Then the snake slowly turned around and went into the forest. The hedgehog stood for another minute and went in the opposite direction. No fight. This behavior is normal.

Can a hedgehog protect the garden from snakes

There is an internet tip: «If there are vipers on your site, get a hedgehog - he will scare them away». Unfortunately, it doesn't work. The hedgehog does not patrol the territory like a guard dog. He hunts where the food is tastier. If there are many snails and beetles on the site, the hedgehog will live there, but he may not notice or touch the snake. Moreover, the viper and the hedgehog often coexist peacefully on the same site: the snake hunts mice in one corner, the hedgehog catches insects in another. Encounters are rare. If you want to get rid of snakes, it is better to remove tall grass, boards, tiles - their shelters. The hedgehog is not a panacea.

By the way, the reverse situation is more dangerous: a sick or weakened hedgehog himself becomes prey to a large snake. In Australia, pythons regularly eat echidnas. In Russia, this almost never happens, but theoretically, a large viper can kill a hedgehog.

Hedgehog and snake in culture and folklore

In Russian folk tales, the hedgehog is a cunning and wise animal. He does not kill the snake with force, but outsmarts it. Remember: not by force, but by mind.

In European heraldry, a hedgehog defeating a snake is a symbol of the victory of good over evil, protection from slander. In Russian icons, "Snake under the feet" sometimes depicts a hedgehog as a protector from reptiles. And in modern memes, hedgehog against a snake is an eternal plot of "invincible tank against slippery dps". In general, the cultural legacy is deep.

What to do if you see a hedgehog and snake fight

Nothing. Do not interfere. This is the wild nature, it has its own laws. Do not try to separate them, do not get close. The snake may switch to you. The hedgehog is also nervous in a fight and may bite. It is better to just watch from a safe distance. If you think the hedgehog is losing and dying - remember: that is the way evolution has designed it. Weak individuals disappear, strong ones survive. Your interference can harm both. The only exception is if the fight is on a road or a sidewalk in the city. Then carefully, with a stick, push both into the grass. But it is risky.

Conclusion: the hedgehog and the snake are neighbors, not enemies

Let's draw a line. The hedgehog is not a snake terminator. The snake is not an archenemy of the hedgehog. They have complex, situational relationships. In most cases, they part ways peacefully. Sometimes the hedgehog wins and eats a small snake. Sometimes the snake kills a young or careless hedgehog. But this is not a war of species, but random encounters of two different hunters who share the same territory. What is more important for the hedgehog is the presence of worms and beetles, and for the snake - mice and frogs. That's what you should pay attention to when studying your ecosystem. And don't expect Hollywood-style scenes with fountains of blood. Nature is smarter and calmer than our imagination.

Permanent link to this publication: