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The Hedgehog Sanctuary is for families who want to know more about hedgehogs and how to help them. It doesnโ€™t matter if you have a garden or not โ€“ there is still a lot that we can do. Hedgehogs have been visiting my garden since long before I moved into the house and it is a joy every time Iย see them.

I am known as Grannie Jacqui to my eight grandchildren. Hedgehogs share the garden with my hens and the other wildlife visitors – it is just my dogs who know that they need to keep out of this garden. Did you know that hedgehog numbers have reduced by a third since 2000? Then in 2020, hedgehogs were listed as vulnerable to extinction in the UK.ย At Hedgehog Sanctuary you will find out how you can help their numbers to recover.

The good news is that in a new study in 2022* indicated that hedgehog populations living in towns might be recovering. This suggests that we can make a real difference in what we do in our gardens and neighbourhoods.

*Reference The State of Britainโ€™s Hedgehogs 2022 accessible on https://www.hedgehogstreet.org

Hedgehog walking

Hedgehogs on the decline

Hedgehog Rescue:

There are hedgehog rescue centres around the UK that work to rehabilitate injured or sick hedgehogs. If you find a hedgehog in distress, these centres can provide guidance on how to help. You can find your nearest rescue centre by contacting the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801.

Hedgehog populations in the UK have been declining in recent years due to various factors, including habitat loss, increased use of pesticides, and road traffic accidents. Conservation efforts are underway to address these issues.

Legal Protection:

  • Hedgehogs are now on the Red List for British Mammals meaning they are vulnerable to extinction.
  • Hedgehogs are legally protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it illegal to kill or harm them. Conservation organisations and individuals work to raise awareness and protect hedgehog populations.

Understanding these facts can help people appreciate and contribute to the conservation of hedgehogs in the UK. Creating hedgehog-friendly environments in gardens and supporting local initiatives are essential steps in ensuring the well-being of these unique and beneficial creatures.

Some useful tips on how to make your garden hedgehog ready…

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Make sure entrances and exits are clear:

If your garden is enclosed by a fence, cut a gap at ground level for them to use (13 cm square).

Why is this important? Hedgehogs travel approximately 1 hectare every night around the neighbourhood and do not stay in one garden alone. They develop familiar routes, and if you want your garden to be a part of their travels – they need to be able to get in and out!

Easy Entrances & Exits

Hedgehogs are curious creatures and that gets them into trouble:

They can easily get trapped and injured inside netting and open drains. Cover over holes and drains. If you need to use netting, keep it at least one foot off the ground โ€“ so there is plenty of space for them to walk under. Hedgehogs can swim but struggle to get out of the water – so if you have a pond construct it to have at least one shallow edge and add some partially submerged stones.

Please Mind the Gap!

Avoid Accidentally Poisoning Hedgehogs!

Slug pellets and garden chemicals are not good news for hedgehogs as they can be poisonous. There are natural solutions like beer traps, nematode sprays โ€“ or a line of bran around your precious plants.

Avoid Dangerous Products

Check Before You Mow!

Mowers, strimmers and hedge cutters will injure any hedgehogs who are asleep in the long grass. It is best to check the area before you start and progress with caution.

Be Careful When Gardening

Plan a wildlife corner for your garden:

It’s a good excuse not to have a garden that is tidy everywhere. In this corner you can keep the grass long, leaves on the ground and the hedges untrimmed. A pile of logs could provide a tasty supply of insects and act as a shelter for them. Hedgehogs may adopt this wildlife corner as their favourite space!

Create a Wildlife Corner

You could have a nest box for hedgehogs:

This helps them to sleep in during the day or over winter and leave this in or near your wildlife corner. Make sure it is slightly raised above the ground so that it does not get flooded in wet weather. A tarpaulin secured over the top will also help to keep the rain out. Leave dry fallen leaves nearby for them to use. You can put meadow hay and torn up newspaper shred inside the box to help them start the nesting process.ย 

Create a Nestbox

Composting Hedgehog Hazards:

Composts, collections of garden rubbish, look like a welcome rest place – check carefully before forking over. If you store rubbish in black bags, it is best not to leave them outside because a curious hedgehog might get their head stuck inside the bag.

Be Careful with Compost

Welcome Hedgehogs with Food & Drink:

Hedgehogs will visit your garden if you put out food and water. They like wet or dried meaty food (dry cat biscuits works well because they are small and easy for them to eat). It is worth making or investing in a feeding station so that you donโ€™t end up feeding the local cats.**

** You might be able to buy a feeding station or hibernation box at your local Hedgehog Rescue BHPS have leaflets on how to make both of these.

Leave Food & Water

Some foods are not good for hedgehogs:

Bird food such as sunflower hearts, mealworms or peanuts will make them ill. Bread and milk is also not recommended as hedgehogs cannot digest this food.

Avoid Unhealthy Food

Hedgehogs Still Need Help Over Winter:

If you regularly feed hedgehogs – carry on putting out food and water over the winter. They may wake up from hibernation and will visit their usual spot for a snack and drink.

Don’t Stop Over Winter

Hedgehogs do not like to eat and sleep in the same place:

It’s not a good idea to put food and water in the nesting box.

Avoid Food in the Nesting Box

We’re Still Adding Content:

Come back soon for more tips on how to make sure you’re creating a welcoming environment for hedgehogs.

More Tips Added Soon

If you can use this advice in your garden, you can create a welcoming environment for hedgehogs and contribute to their conservation. You will be adding to the overall biodiversity of your garden and neighbourhood – and will be making it a healthier and more vibrant ecosystem. It will be a place where you and your family will be able to see nature on your doorstep.

Did you know?

The hedgehog year looks like this: During Winter and the cold weather, hedgehogs spend many weeks rolled up and asleep in a nest they have made with leaves and dried grass. The long period of hibernation seeps their energy and on warmer winter days they sometimes wake up. Hedgehogs in the wild need to have enough body fat reserves to survive the cold months and any suitable food that you can leave outside for them will help (see the Handy Tips page).

In Spring and through Summer, hedgehogs are busy leading their nocturnal lives. As the days become warmer, they wake up to look for a good meal and water to drink. They have a very keen sense of smell and hear well which helps them live in the dark. They will explore inside any little space looking for food. They are active little creatures who can run and climb โ€“ but they quickly roll up into a tight ball when they feel threatened. They do not like to be picked up and talked to. This scares them and can even make them ill.

When to help: If you have concerns about a hedgehog, leave a bowl of fresh water near it and contact your local hedgehog rescue for advice. If you do not know where there is one โ€“ the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) will advise you Telephone 01584 890801 Your local veterinary practice may be able to offer advice

In Autumn, hedgehogs start preparing a nest for hibernating. This could be under bushes, in tree roots or in piles of wood. If you are planning a bonfire night celebration it is likely that a hedgehog has also found the growing pile of wood and has made their way inside to prepare to sleep there. You can save their life by dismantling the pile so that you can check inside before it is set alight.

When threatened, a hedgehog will curl into a ball, presenting its spines as a protective barrier. This behavior is an effective defense mechanism against predators.

Hedgehogs are insectivores, and their diet consists mainly of insects, worms, slugs, and snails. They are considered beneficial for gardens as they help control pest populations. During hibernation, hedgehogs can lose a significant amount of weight. In preparation for hibernation, they need to build up fat reserves.

Hedgehogs have approximately 5,000 to 7,000 spines on their back. These spines are modified hairs and are not poisonous. They provide excellent protection against predators.

Hedgehogs usually have one or two litters of 4 to 6 young, called hoglets, each year. The breeding season is usually from May to September but this season is extending as the winter temperatures get warmer

Helpful References

British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS)

Vale Wildlife Rescue

Prickles Hedgehog Rescue (Somerset)

Help a Hedgehog Hospital (Yorkshire)

Hedgehog Bottom (Berkshire)

Folly Wildlife Rescue (Kent)

Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital (Buckinghamshire)