Hooray for Hedgehogs

With their bristly bodies and snuffl ing snouts, hedgehogs are one of the nation’s favourite garden visitors. Yet despite pleas for urban and rural gardeners to take better care of these cute animals, hedgehog numbers continue to decline at an alarming rate. For anyone who’s ever chanced upon these little wonders, the plight of the hedgehog - in the last decade numbers have fallen by 30% - will feel like a real shame. After all, they are charming, nervous and largely harmless animals.

However, there are some things you can do to help our hog friends survive their current plight.

Hog heaven Create a nesting place for any expected hedgehogs by curating log and leaf piles, plus wilderness areas. In addition, buy a purpose-built hedgehog home to provide a safe haven. Fallen leaves also offer perfect nesting material, so make sure to leave some when you next clear your garden. Put away the pellets There is no need for slug pellets when you have a thriving hedgehog population, as these hungry little hogs can hoover up over 100 snails, slugs and worms every night!

Create hedgehog highways If you live in a terraced plot and have gardens that are side by side in a row behind the houses – and providing your neighbours agree! – make little tunnels through the garden fences so that hedgehogs can have a corridor between gardens.

This transforms your garden from an isolated nature reserve into a spiny mammal thoroughfare, which is fun for all concerned.

Looking after hedgehog health

If you fi nd an underweight or sickly-looking hedgehog, or alternatively a hedgehog active in winter, put out tinned cat or dog food and fresh water.

While hedgehogs are excellent at fi nding their own food, a helping hand in a time of need goes a long way.

Of course, if you see a really poorly hedgehog who appears to be in need of medical treatment, your fi rst step should be to contact your local rescue centre for advice.

Protection A vital feature for hedgehogs in your garden is long grass, where they might hide away and feel safe from the gaze of predators. This grass and surrounding plants will encourage a mass of snails and slugs which, as above, are a hedgehog delicacy!

Pick me up! Finally, while we may consider hedgehogs to be some of the most visually scary animals out there given they are covered in a blanket of prickly spikes, they are actually very friendly and will respond well to being held.