The Hedgehog
The hedgehog has existed in pretty much its present form for about fifteen million years. The British Isles is home to the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), while other species are native to southern Europe, Africa and Asia. Though none are found in the Americas, Canada or Australia, the European hedgehog was introduced to New Zealand earlier this century and has continued to thrive there.
Hedgehogs are quite unmistakeable because of their characteristic spines. These 25mm prickles are equivalent to hairs on a human, are are lost and replaced in the same way. An adult has an average of 7,000 spines. Hedgehog feet have five toes with sharp claws for digging. They have very poor eyesight, and depend largely on their acute sense of smell for their perception of their surroundings. Their ears, though small, are also very sensitive. A hedgehog's voice is usually a snuffle (particularly when foraging), but loud snorting noises occur during courtship. Baby hedgehogs make shrill, chirping sounds, rather like birds, if they are in distress.
Hedgehog Lifestyle
Hedgehog's favourite places are hedgerows, woodland, shrubberies and the wild parts of gardens and orchards where they can find nest-building materials. They also flourish in the green areas of cities. They are nocturnal creatures and may travel two miles a night in search of food, snaffling up slugs, beetles, woodlice, caterpillars and food left out for them by kind humans. In very cold weather, when their source of natural food dries up, hedgehogs go into hibernation. This is not a kind of deep sleep, but a way of conserving energy; their temperature cools down, their heartbeat decreases and breathing almost stops.
Hedgehog Families
There is no evidence of pair bonding between male and female, and most hedgehogs lead a solitary life. Litters of between four and seven are born in June or July, but if a female loses her litter, she may well produce another one in late summer. These late babies are often found wandering around in autumn, sometimes by day, far too underweight to survive hibernation. If a young hedgehog (known as a 'hoglet') does not weigh at least 500 grams it does not have enough fat in reserve. It should not be allowed to hibernate but should be kept warm and fed until spring when it can be released.
Helping Hedgehogs
There are many things everybody can do to help hedgehogs and other wildlife. For example we can:
a) stop using harmful chemicals and slug pellets.
b) put escape rams in garden ponds. Hedgehogs are good swimmers, but ofter cannot climb out of the steep sides of most ponds.
c) try not to drop litter such as yoghurt pots and the plastic rings used for holding four-packs.
d) leave a 'wild' area in the garden. Hedgehogs eat garden pests such as slugs, beetles, and caterpillars; they do no harm themselves so they should be encouraged.
e) check heaps of garden rubbish before they're moved and bonfires before setting light to them to ensure thtere are no hibernting hedgehogs inside them. If a hibernating hedgehog is accidentally unearthed, it should be gently removed on a spade to a garden shed and allowed to continue its hibernation in a box filled with straw or hay.
f) leave out food and water, particularly in late summer, to help hedgehogs build up the extra layer of fat needed to survivie hibernation. Hedgehogs are fond of bread and milk, but cannot digest the lactose in cow's milk and this can give them diarrhoea. Water and cat or dog food are better supplemtns to their normal diet. Hoglets should be given goat's millk and milk substitue baby foods.
The Societies Aims
1. To encourage and give advice on the care of hedgehogs, especially when injured, sick, orphaned or in distress.
2. To foster children's interet in hedgehogs with informtion and lectures, and thus encourage them to respect all wildlife.
3. To fund research into the behaviour habits of hedgehogs and to find out ways of aiding their survival.
Mon May 21, 2012 8:49 am
