Hedgehogs are found throughout the UK, Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), are abundant in wooded areas around pasture, parks and gardens. Adult hedgehogs are about 26 cm long and can weigh as much as 1,100 grams. They have fairly distinctive footprints, with five claw marks and larger front than hind feet. Their eyesight is quite poor, but their sense of smell and hearing are very good, they can also swim and climb well. Their dense covering of spines offers good protection when the animal is disturbed, rolling up in a tight ball covering its head and soft underside.
They are solitary, non-territorial animals, most active on nights after heavy rainfall when they eat slugs, snails, beetles and earthworms. They make audible snuffles and snorts whilst feeding and if disturbed they make a 'pig-squeal' alarm call. Others signs of hedgehog activity include small trails in the dew of long grass, small forage burrows in soft earth and the presence of their black slug-shaped droppings in the grass.
In summer, hedgehogs shelter during the day in temporary nests of leaves, moss and grass. By October and November, hedgehogs have dramatically put on weight in preparation for their hibernation. Their hibernation nests are typically situated under hedgerows, in old rabbit burrows, underneath compost heaps or even in garden sheds. The animal hibernates until the following March or April, during which time its body temperature and heart beat fall dramatically, from 190 to about 20 beats per minute. Most hedgehog deaths occur during this hibernation period.
Hedgehogs face numerous dangers from natural predators which include Foxes, Pine Martins and Stoats. Cats and dogs are sources of harassment, whilst Badgers not only eat hedgehogs, but outcompete them for earthworms, their major food source.
Cattle grids and drains can trap wandering hedgehogs and litter can become entangled in their spines. Hedgehogs nesting in long grass can be injured by garden strimmers and they can become poisoned by eating slugs which have eaten Slug Pellets. Despite being good swimmers, many hedgehogs drown in garden ponds or pools, as they are unable to get a grip on the slippery sides.
With their diet of slugs and other garden pests, hedgehogs are a gardeners friend. You can help and encourage hedgehogs in your garden in a number of ways;
Leave a wooden ramp or piece of chicken wire at the edge of any garden pond or pool to allow them to climb out, should they fall in. Peg down fruit nets and store tennis nets off the ground overnight. Try to leave a few piles of fallen leaves in an out of the way place for nesting.
Try not to dismantle wood piles and do check piles of garden litter before having a bonfire. If you want to feed hedgehogs use a variety of pet food, unsalted peanuts or meat leftovers (not bread and milk). Leave the food out at sunset and collect any leftovers the next morning.
Wed Mar 27, 2013 5:52 pm
