Create a Safer World for Hedgehogs

RSPB’s Asma Faraz encourages us to protect our local resident Hedgehogs and shows us how we can look after them.

Credit: Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com) 

The Hedgehogs have finally come out of hibernation, and you can see them from April to October.  They will be looking for a place to rest, raise their young and gaps and cracks to make their travels easy. These captivating animals are enchanting and well-loved but face many challenges. In the 1950s, there were estimated to have been 30 million hedgehogs in the UK and now, unfortunately, they’re estimated to be less than a million. It's a stark figure to remind us to all do our part to help these prickly mammals. In this blog, we’ll have a look at the challenges our Hedgehogs face and how we can help.

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

One of the major threats faced by Hedgehogs is a loss and fragmentation of their natural habitats. With the expansion of urbanisation and human activities, especially intensive farming, traditional Hedgehog habitats, such as hedgerows, woodlands and meadows are being continuously destroyed or transformed into urban areas. However they are ways that we can help:

• Create Hedgehog Friendly Gardens:

Making our gardens more Hedgehog friendly is a great way of providing them with a suitable habitat. You can do this by leaving wild and overgrown areas. The growth of tidy gardens has unfortunately contributed to the decline in Hedgehog friendly areas but mounds of vegetation and fallen leaves is an easy way to make some fantastic space for them. Avoiding the use of pesticides and chemicals, which can harm Hedgehogs, and creating Hedgehog friendly access points in your garden are some additional simple measures to create a safe space for these nocturnal visitors.

• Supporting Wildlife Corridors

Establishing and protecting wildlife corridors and green spaces can help Hedgehogs move between fragmented habitats, enabling them to find mates and maintain a good population. Hedgehogs are known to wander far and wide, walking a mile or more a night in their quest for food or a mate.

Barriers such as fences and walls hinder their movement but wildlife corridors connect foraging areas and breeding sites. One way you can help with wildlife corridors are Hedgehog highways. They’re an easy yet effective way to connect gardens and create a network of safe passages for Hedgehogs to roam freely. You can find out how to create them here.

Road Traffic Accidents

Hedgehogs often fall victim to road traffic accidents when they venture onto roads in search of food or mates. It might see that this is impossible to tackle but they are ways we can help:

• Install Hedgehog Highways

Yes, these handy tunnels and openings have an additional plus of providing safe passageway, allowing our prickly friends to navigate urban areas without having to cross roads.

Hedgehog Tunnel, Credit: RSPB

• Be Alert and Take Precautions

When driving, particularly during Hedgehog active times at dusk and dawn, it's so important to be vigilant and reduce your speed in areas where Hedgehogs are likely to roam. It's a small act of awareness that could make a huge difference.

Predators and Garden Hazards

Hedgehogs face various threats within gardens, including encounters with predators such as dogs, cats, and badgers. Additionally, seemingly harmless garden features can pose dangers to these small mammals, such as ponds. We can help Hedgehogs by:

• Providing Hedgehog Shelters:

Constructing or purchasing Hedgehog houses or shelters can offer them a safe refuge from predators and garden hazards. These shelters should be secluded, dry, and well-insulated, providing Hedgehogs with a cosy spot to hibernate or raise their young. Find out how to make a Hedgehouse here:

• Ensuring Garden Safety

Removing hazards like garden netting, ponds without escape routes, and deep holes can prevent hedgehogs from getting trapped or injured while foraging. Here are some points to help guide us on making our gardens safer:

• Garden netting: Hedgehogs can get tangled in these nets leading to injuries or even death, so do remove or securely elevate any garden netting, for example, sports nets or fruit netting.
• Ponds and Water Features: if you have a pond or water feature, ensure it has shallow sloping sides or provides a means of escape, such as a gently sloping ramp or a pile of stones. This is to prevent Hedgehogs from becoming trapped and drowning.
• Deep Holes or Pits: fill in any deep holes or pits in your garden to prevent Hedgehogs from accidentally falling into them and being unable to climb out.
• Chemicals and Pesticides: Hedgehogs are sensitive to chemicals and pesticides, which can be toxic to them and affect their health. Minimise or eliminate the use of pesticides, slug pellets and other chemicals in your garden. Instead, explore organic and natural methods of pest control to maintain a Hedgehog friendly environment.
• Check for Hedgehogs Before Using Machinery: wildlife may be resting or nesting in tall grass or vegetation. Just checking before using machinery, such as lawnmowers, can help avoid accidents.
• Provide Shelter and Hiding Places: Create Hedgehog friendly areas in your garden by providing natural shelter such as log piles, leaf piles or dense shrubs where Hedgehogs can find protection from predators and adverse weather conditions. These spots are useful for resting, nesting and hibernation.
• Secure Compost Bins: If you have compost bins in your garden ensure they have secure lids or covers. Hedgehogs are known to explore compost heaps in search of food and nesting material, but they can become trapped or injured.

By recognising and addressing the threats faced by hedgehogs, we can actively participate in their conservation. Whether it's creating Hedgehog-friendly gardens, supporting wildlife corridors, or implementing safety measures, each of us has the power to make a difference. Together, let's work towards protecting these delightful creatures and ensuring a brighter future for Hedgehogs.