It is found in a range of habitats including semi-desert, dry Mediterranean scrub, grasslands, pastures, cultivated and fallow fields, and sometimes in close proximity to human habitation, such as in gardens (García-Rodríguez and Puig-Montserrat 2014). It is most often found in arid areas (Lapini 1999, Palomo et al. 2007). This species is typically solitary and nocturnal, forming day nests under dense vegetation, in crevices in built structures, or under log piles. It forages for arthropods including Coleoptera, though will also consume fruit and small vertebrates (García-Rodríguez and Puig-Montserrat 2014). In the Balearic Islands, it occasionally hibernates between January and March (Palomo et al. 2007), but little is known about its hibernating ecology elsewhere.

The North African Hedgehog (Atelerix algirus) is endemic to the Mediterranean region, being found in coastal regions of Spain and on a number of islands including the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands and Malta. In the Canary Islands, it occurs in Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife and was recently recorded in La Palma (Medina 2016). It was formerly introduced to France but is now extinct there. Its occurrence in continental Europe and on many of the islands within its range may be the result of various introductions by man pre-1500 (Lapini 1999, Morales and Rofes 2007, Khaldi et al. 2016). In Europe, it typically occurs at altitudes of 0 to 600 m (Palomo et al. 2007).

Outside of Europe, the species can be found across North Africa from Morocco to Libya, from sea level to 2650 m (Aulagnier et al. 2017).

It is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annex IV of the EU Habitats and Species Directive. It occurs in a number of protected areas throughout its range. Surveys and monitoring are required to determine population trends of this species, given that at least local declines are suspected (García-Rodríguez and Puig-Montserrat 2014). If there is any evidence of decline, action should be taken to protect this species. Further research is necessary to determine appropriate conservation measures.