Everyone loves a hedgehog, right? From the cosy Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle to the recent announcement that the species will feature on British bank notes, these nocturnal mammals are a beloved part of UK wildlife and a welcome visitor to our gardens. But sadly, our prickly neighbours are under threat.
Since 2000, we’ve lost between 30-75% of rural hedgehogs, according a report compiled by People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). Hedgehogs are a vital part of our ecosystem, but they face numerous human-induced threats, including roadkill, toxin accumulation, and a loss of natural food and habitat.
Though thankfully, it’s not all doom and gloom. Urban hedgehogs are faring better than their rural counterparts, with declines beginning to level off. Our parks and gardens are becoming a stronghold for the species, and there’s plenty we can all do to help, starting at home.
The first thing to consider is access: can hedgehogs get into your garden? Hedgehogs can travel an average of 2km in a single night in search of food, shelter and mates, so linking as many gardens together as possible is vital. Creating ‘Hedgehog Highways’ ensures they can move around as much as they need to. What we mean by “highway” is simply a 13cm by 13cm square hole in the bottom of your fence or boundary, roughly the size of a CD case. Access between front and back gardens matters too, so adding a “highway” to a gate would be especially handy.
Whether you have hedgehogs or not, leaving a corner of the garden overgrown and undisturbed is another brilliantly easy way to help. Simply pick your wild patch and put your feet up. As well as shelter for hedgehogs and other wildlife, this will provide nourishment: a hedgehog’s natural diet consists of creepy-crawlies like beetles, earthworms and caterpillars, which will thrive in a ‘wild patch’ of the garden.
You could also think about installing a hedgehog house. These can be bought online, or you can even build your own using a plan from the Hedgehog Street website.
Log, leaf and compost piles offer a buffet of natural food for hedgehogs too, as well as shelter and nesting materials. Much like the ‘wild corner’ of the garden, this is a simple and cheap way to help hedgehogs. So, before you fill up your garden waste bin, consider creating a feature that lots of wildlife will benefit from.
And that garden pond you've been tempted to install? It’s useful for hedgehogs as well, providing a year-round drinking source and attracting insect prey. Just make sure any pond has sloping sides or an escape ramp in case any ‘hogs or other animals fall in.
But as elusive, nocturnal creatures, how can we tell if hedgehogs are frequenting our streets or even our own gardens? First, have a look for local sightings on the Big Hedgehog Map, then keep an eye out for small, dark droppings and an ear out for snuffling after dark. A motion-triggered trail camera is also a brilliant way to watch garden wildlife without disturbing them.
And finally, the power of a conversation: chat about hedgehogs with friends, colleagues and neighbours, and it might just spark someone’s interest. The smallest actions can have a huge impact, and if we all get involved, the future will be a bit brighter for this iconic species. Hedgehog Street has tips, resources and how-to guides to get you started.
And the best bit? The changes we make for hedgehogs will benefit a plethora of other species too, so don’t be surprised if you’re rewarded with birds, butterflies and bats alongside your prickly visitors.
