Hedgehogs - The Basic Facts (2024)

HEDGEHOGS

The Latin word for hedgehogs is Erinaceus and our own British hedgehog is scientifically known as Erinaceus europaeus; it is the same species that occurs throughout most of Europe. In Britain it is found almost everywhere except some of the Scottish Islands, but tends to be scarce or absent from wet areas and pine forests. Uplands and mountainsides are not popular with hedgehogs, probably because they lack both suitable food and suitable nesting places. Hedgehogs are well established in our urban habitat and can, somewhat surprisingly, survive very well in our cities, making extremely good use of cemeteries, railway land, wasteland and both public and private gardens as long as they are joined up with others.

“Shakespeare mentions hedgehogs in ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and he refers to ‘hedgepigs’ and ‘urchins’.”

Description

Everyone is sure to know what a hedgehog looks like. The hedgehog’s back and sides are covered in 25mm (1 inch) long spines (which are really modified hairs). These are absent from the face, chest, belly, throat and legs which are covered with a coarse, grey-brown fur. There are approximately 5,000/7,000 spines on an average adult hedgehog. What many people do not know is that a hedgehog has a small tail.

Diet

Hedgehogs are certainly noisy eaters as people who have encountered these animals ‘at table’ will testify; but what do they actually eat?

This diagram shows that they eat a lot of beetles, along with caterpillars and earthworms. Most people are aware that hedgehogs are mostly insect eaters.

Many people put out a saucer of meat-based pet food for their garden friends. The hedgehog will treat this as a welcome supplement to its normal diet and will not go hungry if, for some reason, the food is not put out. Always make sure that a dish of water is available especially during the summer months or in extreme weather conditions.

Garden Visitors

At the risk of disappointing some people, it is worth mentioning the fact that hedgehogs tend to ‘do the rounds’ and visit several gardens within an area. Ten or more different individuals may visit a garden over several nights, which could mean that ‘your hedgehog’ is in fact probably a number of different individuals visiting at different times.

Helping your Friends

The best ways of assisting hedgehogs are by helping them avoid man-made hazards and providing them with suitable places to nest, especially in the winter.

Slug Pellets

These are poisonous and should not be used. If absolutely necessary, pellets should be placed in a pipe or under a slate that hedgehogs cannot get to. Dead slugs must be removed daily. Since April 2022 it has been illegal to use or sell metaldehyde slug pellets in the UK. Use other garden pesticides sparingly, or better still not at all; you never know what else they might kill or make sick. Always try alternative methods – see BHPS leaflet on ‘Creating a Wildlife Garden’.

GardenPonds / Swimming pools

Can be death traps to small mammals. Always ensure that there are several gently sloping slipways around the edge of the water to allow animals to escape if they fall in. Ensure that swimming pool covers are on every night and that polystyrene floats are placed near the side for a hedgehog to cling to. Slipways may be made by half submerging bricks or rocks around the edges of ponds. Alternatively a piece of chicken wire or plastic coated wire can be hung over the edge of ponds and pools like a scrambling net. Hedgehogs can use this to climb out of the water to safety. Keep the water level topped up so that hedgehogs can reach the wire. Do remember hoglets will need a longer ramp than an adult hedgehog.

Cattle and Sheep Grids

Many small animals including hedgehogs and birds cannot escape from sheer-sided pits beneath these grids. A small ramp or slope in one corner of the pit enables the trapped animals to walk out – see BHPS leaflet ‘Ramps’.

Other Dangers

Hedgehogs can become entangled in tennis and other nets, causing death by starvation. Roll up the net well above ground when not in use. Keep pea netting 22-30cm (9-12 inches) off the ground so hedgehogs can pass safely underneath them and plants will grow up to the netting. Legs can also be caught in the gaps between logs in rolls of log edging. When tidying the garden, take care when moving piles of leaves and other garden rubbish as these are ideal places for a hedgehog to make its nest. Hedgehogs are inquisitive and will try to eat almost anything, a trait that can be harmful to them. Having been attracted by the remaining contents, hedgehogs have been found with their heads stuck in tins, yoghurt pots and plastic cups. Always cut the plastic rings of “4 and 6 pack” holders and elastic on masks. To prevent such unnecessary deaths, litter should be disposed of in a proper manner.

Keep bags used for putting out household rubbish off the ground. This will prevent hedgehogs reaching them and tearing the bag. They can become trapped in the rubbish or even put out for refuse collection. Keep drains covered so that hedgehogs do not become stuck down them. Bean trenches, footings, fencing holes and car inspection pits are all potential death traps for hedgehogs. Provide an escape route, eg a sloping plank, or cover the holes so hedgehogs do not become trapped. Keep shed, greenhouse and garage doors closed at night so hedgehogs are not tempted to make a nest in them, and perhaps become trapped in them when doors are permanently closed. Store chemicals safely. When replacing or installing walls or fencing provide 13x13cm (5×5”) holes so hedgehogs can pass from your garden into your neighbours’ gardens without difficulty. Only use environmentally safe wood preservatives on your fences, garden furniture and wooden buildings. Keep dogs under control if you know you have hedgehogs in the garden. Also, remember that whilst your dog may be hedgehog-friendly, visitors’ dogs may not. If in doubt keep your dog on a lead when it goes out into the garden when its dark.

Hedgehogs in the Garden

The hedgehog is known as ‘the gardener’s friend’ as it will eat slugs, beetles, caterpillars etc., and does no harm, so if you have a garden a hedgehog is to be encouraged. They should not be kept in captivity, but regarded as welcome visitors.

Parasites

Fleas are a normal occurrence in wild animals and hedgehogs are no exception. The good news is hedgehog fleas are host-specific and, although they might jump on to your cat or dog, they cannot live on them for long. If you find that a hedgehog has a very heavy flea infestation it may indicate that there is an underlying problem. Seek expert advice from a local rescue centre; BHPS keeps a directory of independent hedgehog rehabilitators in the UK if you are not sure where yours is.

Blood-sucking ticks are also often found on hedgehogs and; after taking their fill of blood, will drop off the host in order to complete their life cycle. It is common to find several ticks on a single animal, but if you find a hedgehog with large numbers of ticks, this may indicate that the animal needs help. Removing ticks properly requires experience and, to avoid harming the hedgehog, you should seek expert help.

Caring for Autumn Juveniles

Hedgehogs may give birth to their hoglets late in the year. Such youngsters will not have enough time to build up sufficient fat reserves to enable them to survive hibernation. The absolute minimum weight to see them through the winter is 450gms (1lb) and any hedgehog below this weight is likely to have problems. However, once in care, hedgehog rehabilitators prefer to get autumn juveniles up to an optimum weight of 600gms (1lb 6oz) or more before considering release. Autumn juveniles, (i.e. youngsters found alone and under 450gms (1lb) after the end of September) will need extra help, even if just additional feeding in the garden. Call the BHPS for further advice on 01584 890801 and make contact with an experienced independent local rescue centre to check the hedgehog over as soon as possible. For First Aid the hedgehog should be given extra warmth, either a warm hot water bottle wrapped in towelling or blanket or placed on a heated pad with room to get away from the heat should it get too warm. It should be placed in a box lined with plenty of clean fresh straw, torn newspaper or clean old towelling for bedding. If for some reason they cannot be indoors for short term first aid, outbuildings would be acceptable if heated and flies can’t get to the hedgehog, but don’t put hedgehogs directly onto a metal grid or wire floor, or straight onto concrete – they have sensitive feet and the cold will permeate through. Offer meaty hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food or cat biscuits and fresh water. NEVER COW’S MILK. As with all hedgehog casualties this is a specialised job and the hedgehog(s) should be passed onto an experienced rehabilitator as soon as possible. Call BHPS on 01584 890801 for details of your nearest.

Hibernation

If you want to attract wildlife to your garden, ensure there is easy access for them, leave wild areas and avoid ‘tidying up’ too much. Hedgehogs tend to hibernate between November and mid-March and may choose the stack of leaves or branches in your garden that you have built as a bonfire pile. For this reason if you have to get rid of such material, move it to a different spot immediately before setting fire to it; a hedgehog may be sheltering or hibernating in it. Light from one side only to allow an escape route for anything you have missed. They like to nest under things (e.g. sheds, hedges and brushwood) and need plenty of dry leaves to build their nest.

Acknowledgments and Further Reading

We thank ‘The Future is Unmown’ for allowing us to use their wonderful illustrations in this leaflet. The use of information and the reproduction of the pie chart from ‘Hedgehogs’ by Dr Pat Morris (Whittet Books, £14.99) is gratefully acknowledged. Dr Morris is one of the country’s leading hedgehog experts and his book gives factual, down to earth information on hedgehog behaviour, habits, physiology and private life, illustrated with delightful and amusing drawings by Guy Troughton. Another excellent book is ‘The Hedgehog Book’ by Hugh Warwick. Some books are available from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and can be ordered by phone or found in our online shop at shop.britishhedgehogs.org.uk.