The humble hedgehog

Hedgehogs are gorgeous spiny creatures that do surprisingly well in urban environments. They are known to inhabit waste sites, cemeteries, parks, railway land and gardens, which can make great homes for hedgehogs, provided that they are linked up with sufficient ‘road-free’ routes. Sadly the hedgehog population has been declining rapidly since the 1950s in rural England. This decline is partly attributed to the frequency of roads, and partly due to lack of food sources in rural locations with the intensification of agriculture. However, these clever creatures have taken it upon themselves to move to more urban environments, where they can find more food sources. So wherever you live, you can play your part in supporting your local ’hogs!

How to help hedgehogs

1. Avoid using pesticides! Campaign to your local authority to cease using pesticides which drastically reduce invertebrate populations (which hedgehogs love to eat).

2. Create a ‘hedgehog highway’ by cutting low holes in your fences for hedgehogs to pass through. Ask your neighbours to do the same so that more of the gardens are linked together!

3. Create wild areas of your garden with high, native wildflowers, offering cover and food for hedgehog visitors. An important part of a hedgehog’s diet is slugs, so they can be a real asset to your garden.

Please note: Since publishing this magazine we would like to correct the above statement, to say that an important part of a hedgehog's diet is insects, predominantly beetles and caterpillars, rather than slugs.