This spot's taken

Brown, round, tiny, and spiny—say hello to the European hedgehog. Our image was taken in Sussex, England, but you'll find these prickly creatures in gardens, parks, and woodland throughout Europe. Mostly nocturnal, they are welcomed by gardeners as they snack on snails and slugs. With leaves turning gold and the air getting chilly, our homepage hedgehog is all set to gain some weight for the winter.
© Jules Cox/Minden Pictures