A SMALL ACT OF KINDNESS WILL Help SAVE MANY PRECIOUS LIVES
Hedgehogs, an endangered species
Hedgehogs are the UK’s favourite mammal with more Google searches and Instagram hashtags than any other animal. With their unique charismatic appearance and harmless perception as quite a vulnerable little creature, hedgehogs regularly make it to ‘Britain’s favourite mammal’ in polls.
Sadly, the hedgehog population is in decline. In 2020, hedgehogs native to the UK (Erinaceus Europaeus) were put on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red list as ‘vulnerable to extinction’ in Great Britain.
HEDGEHOGS, AN ENDANGERED SPECIES - WHY?
The loss of nesting and foraging habitat through over development and hedgerow removal. This has destroyed their hibernation habitats and their natural food source, so they struggle to find enough natural food to survive.
Tidy gardens, decking, fencing, walls and enclosed / secure gardens. This has limited a Hedgehog's ability to forage for food. A hedgehog will travel up to 3km a night in search of food and the loss of connected gardens limits their ability to do this safely garden to garden, forcing them out onto the roads.
Use of pesticides. Never use insecticides that are designed to kill insects. These can not only kill animals, they can poison animals and the soil; therefore killing the natural food that hedgehogs love to eat.
make a difference - Create an accessible wildlife pond
The need for wildlife ponds no matter how big or small is critical to allow for the survival of many invertebrates / insects and acts as a natural food and water source for many animals.
The best wildlife ponds for hedgehogs have shallow sloping sides (like a beach) with plenty of escape routes all the way around the pond. Ensuring you have stones submerged at different levels means it is safe for all your garden visitors.
This beautiful photo was taken at the Hedgehog Cabin in Hartley Wintney.
No mow May AND BEYOND
April and May are traditionally the time of year when everyone wants to get their gardens tidied up, cutting their lawn etc. Please, wait one more month. Allow your nettles and weeds to grow, as they will provide a haven for small creatures and food for caterpillars.
During this period, a hedgehog’s future meals are overwintering in that long grass. Their future depends on the pollinators whose first precious meal comes from the dandelions and weeds that you’ll allow to grow. You'll be amazed what appears when you leave your grass to grow, and it will be fascinating to see what creatures you'll be encouraging into your garden too.
MYTH BUSTING - THE FACTS
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and Snails
One of the biggest myths is that Hedgehogs love to eat slugs and snails, this is NOT true, hedgehogs do not voluntarily eat slugs or snails.
If people continue to believe this, hedgehogs will continue to die of starvation and parasite invasion (slugs are host to lungworm, lungworm kills all mammals unless treated).
Over 70% of a hedgehogs natural diet is made up of caterpillars and beetles.
Out in the Day
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and Snails
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so if you ever see a hedgehog out in the daytime it’s because they’re extremely sick and would have been sick for a while.
Coming out in the day is the last desperate act of a dying hedgehog, they are going into shock and trying to get warmth from the sun.
IF YOU SEE A HEDGEHOG OUT IN THE DAY IT’S AN EMERGENCY…THEY’RE DYING. #Helptosavealife
Fleas
Slugs and Snails
Bread and Milk
Despite common belief, it is incredibly rare for a hedgehog to have fleas.
Only very sick or dying hedgehogs carry fleas. If you ever see a hedgehog with fleas, please get them to a rescue urgently.
Bread and Milk
Meal worms and Calci Worms
Bread and Milk
Feeding bread and milk to hedgehogs is harmful and can kill them.
Bread has zero nutrition. It can't be digested by hedgehogs so just bulks then passes through, preventing the hedgehogs from taking on any real nourishment. It contains high levels of wheat and high levels of fibre.
Hedgehogs have trouble chewing bread and aren't capable o
Feeding bread and milk to hedgehogs is harmful and can kill them.
Bread has zero nutrition. It can't be digested by hedgehogs so just bulks then passes through, preventing the hedgehogs from taking on any real nourishment. It contains high levels of wheat and high levels of fibre.
Hedgehogs have trouble chewing bread and aren't capable of digesting it, no matter how small the bread is cut.
Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, giving them milk gives them diarrhoea, it makes them ill, and will eventually lead to death.
Meal worms and Calci Worms
Meal worms and Calci Worms
Meal worms and Calci Worms
Feeding meal worms and calci worms is harmful to hedgehogs.
Meal worms will give hedgehogs metabolic bone disease and calci worms will give a hedgehog a calcium overdose.
Hedgehogs need a balanced meal and providing kitten biscuits (as long as the first listed ingredient is meat) is the perfect balanced meal for a hedgehog.
Hibernation
Meal worms and Calci Worms
Meal worms and Calci Worms
Only healthy hedgehogs are able to hibernate.
If you see a hedgehog out in the depths of winter, it may need attention. Please observe the hedgehog, and if you have any concerns contact your local rescue.
Prevention is better than cure
Garden ponds with no escape route
Garden ponds with no escape route
Garden ponds with no escape route
Although hedgehogs can swim, they will drown in any pond that has no escape route.
Building escape ramps in more than one place made of willow, or pieces of wood covered in chicken wire will help a hedgehog escape if they fell in.
This small act of kindness can help to save a hedgehog’s life.
Garden strimmers and lawn mowers
Garden ponds with no escape route
Garden ponds with no escape route
Please don't use a garden strimmer. Strimmers cause the most horrific injuries and death not just to hedgehogs but to so many other creatures.
A hedgehog’s natural defence is to roll into a ball rather than run away when they sense danger. Hedgehogs can be hard to spot in the long grass. When gardening, please check the long grass and hedges thoroughly before using mowers, shears or hedge cutters. A hedgehogs spines are no defence against gardening tools.
This is Bishop treated by Pauly at the Hedgehog Cabin, poor Bishop had a number of horrific injuries including his ear being ripped off by a garden strimmer. Bishop was lucky, he survived his ordeal, most aren't as lucky.
Dogs
Garden ponds with no escape route
Litter
Sadly, some dogs can harm or even kill hedgehogs, please keep a close eye on your dog when walking or letting them out in your garden at night.
If you know there are hedgehogs in your area, please keep your dogs on a lead.
Even a dog barking at a hedgehog is terrifying for them so please be vigilant.
This is Gerry who we treated for the most dreadful dog bite injuries that took weeks to heal. Precious Gerry survived his ordeal, many others are not so fortunate.
Litter
Garden netting
Litter
Litter is a real hazard to hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are curious creatures. They can get their heads stuck in tins, plastic bags, binders from drink cans or, discarded yoghurt pots.
Please make sure you discard your litter safely and clear any rubbish in your garden. If you see any litter when you are out walking that could cause an injury or death to a hedgehog, please pick it up and discard of it safely.
This small act of kindness can help to save a hedgehog’s life.
Bonfires
Garden netting
Garden netting
Unlit bonfires unfortunately make an ideal home and a cosy nesting site for a hedgehog who will be unaware of the dangers.
A hedgehog’s natural defence is to roll into a ball rather than run away. So, no matter how many checks you make and sticks you poke into an unlit bonfire, a hedgehog will not move.
If you must have a bonfire, please only build it on the day you are lighting it, if this is not possible build a hedgehog proof fence around it.
This small act of kindness can help to save a hedgehog’s life.
Garden netting
Garden netting
Garden netting
It is very easy for a hedgehog to become entangled in netting. Its a horrible killer and a slow, painful lingering death for a poor hedgehog.
Please ensure that any garden netting, or unused sports netting, e.g. football goals are stored off the ground and out of reach when not in use.
There will need to be a large enough gap (of approx. 12 inches) so a hedgehog can pass safely underneath it without becoming entangled.
This small act of kindness can help to save a hedgehog’s life.
Compost Bins
Compost Bins
Compost Bins
These two precious hedgehogs were found dead in a neighbours back garden. Poisoned. The devastated finder had no idea that compost bins are dangerous to animals (and can be to humans too) and should always be kept closed to prevent animals having access. Decomposing organic matter in a compost bin can contain fungi which produce neuroto
These two precious hedgehogs were found dead in a neighbours back garden. Poisoned. The devastated finder had no idea that compost bins are dangerous to animals (and can be to humans too) and should always be kept closed to prevent animals having access. Decomposing organic matter in a compost bin can contain fungi which produce neurotoxins called tremorgenic mycotoxins. These naturally occurring substances are highly toxic to both humans and animals. Although the contents are deadly, the invertebrates the compost attracts make it very inviting to the insectivore hedgehog, who trusts it as a source of food and shelter. The compost bin will be particularly attractive during the winter as it can provide a warm dry place to nest. Very few people realise that consuming even a small amount of compost containing these mycotoxins can be deadly, and there is no cure for this poisoning. Often people who find unexplained dead hedgehogs in their garden have no idea it was their open compost bin which was to blame. If you or your neighbours have a compost bin, please ensure it is safe and inaccessible to wildlife, and your pets.
Open Drains
Compost Bins
Compost Bins
Hedgehogs can get stuck in an open drain when searching for a drink of water. It is a slow and painful death for them if they are not fund in time. Please prevent this from happening and ensure any open drains are covered to help save a precious life.