Making your garden Hedgehog friendly

As autumn and winter looms ever nearer, the hedgehog breeding season comes to an end and young hedgehogs leave the comfort of their mothers and become independent; putting them in an incredibly vulnerable position. The Hedgehogs first time alone in the wild comes at a time when their natural food supply is at an all-time low. If, in this period the hedgehogs fail to get up to a good weight (around 500g) they can die during the long winter hibernation. Dependent on the weather, hedgehogs usually hibernate between the months of November and April. During this hibernation, the hedgehog’s body processes slow right down; their heartbeat rapidly drops as does their body temperature.

According to a recent survey, the UK hedgehog population is thought to be sitting at around 1.5 million, a shocking figure when you compare it to the 30 million mark the hedgehog population hit during the 1950’s.

There are a number of things you can do to ensure that your garden is a safe haven for hedgehogs, giving them the best chance of survival possible.

Firstly, it is no good putting in a lot of effort for the hedgehogs with food and shelter, if they cannot reach them! Hedgehogs need to be able to gain access to your garden. A hole under the fence can be a great way of letting hedgehogs in, a native hedge is makes a great, hedgehog friendly border.

Although many people assume that a pond is the best way of providing water for any hedgehogs in your garden, ponds can pose a massive problem. During the autumn months, it is a good idea to cover your pond up, this is to prevent any hedgehogs falling in and drowning (not to mention helping keep your pond debris free) An animal water bowl, kept topped up with fresh water is a great way of providing that much needed hydration for any hogs.

Ideally, food should also be provided for any hedgehogs. Dry dog food is great, as is wet food. The hogs also love mealworms too. This nutrition will fuel the hedgehogs in their activities and keep their all-important weight up ahead of hibernation. Note that bread and milk will make hedgehogs ill.

After entering your garden and eating their way through the supplies you have left, the hedgehog may feel like a good rest. By owning a compost heap, leaving piles of twigs and leaves about and providing some natural shelter, you will be aiding the survival of a species in decline.

My own hedgehog story

It was around this time last year, when I had my very own little hedgehog rescue operation. Our dog (George) stumbled across a hedgehog in the garden, after showing a great deal of interest in what we thought was an empty corner of the garden, we went over to find an incredibly underweight hog looking very sorry for itself.

We were out with a towel in the shot and before we knew it we had an additional pet in the house and the dog had another competitor for his food. After a week of R&R we released one healthy looking hedgehog back into the wild.

For more information on Britain’s National species head to: http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/.

Published August 27th, 2013 by Jordan. Article ref 688

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