Hot weather warning for hedgehogs

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A NATIONAL charity based in Clee is warning that the heat is on for hedgehogs.

As the weather continues to be sweltering people are being urged by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society to remember while it is enjoyed by most humans, hedgehogs will be struggling.

The heat dries the ground out making it difficult to find natural food such as slugs and worms. There is also a lack of available water when it is hot.

A charity spokeswoman said wildlife really does need our help in warm weather.

Leaving a shallow bowl of fresh water in the same place every night and offering some meat based pet food could save lives.

As it is also baby season mother hedgehogs will especially appreciate the help and won’t have to travel so far from their nest.

Another important way to help is to keep pond and pool levels topped up.

Hedgehogs are very good swimmers but cannot get out of steep high sided ponds and pools. They may drown as they get too tired to swim.

Providing half submerged rocks in ponds or floats in pools could also help, as will checking each morning to see if anything has fallen in overnight and needs help.

For a free copy of the BHPS leaflet, Gardening Hedgehogs, send an A5 stamped SAE to BHPS Gardening, Hedgehog House, Dhustone, Ludlow, SY8 3PL or visit [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]