One of Britain’s most iconic native mammals, the hedgehog, is under threat and in decline across the country. It can be found across Britain but is best established in urban habitats, surviving well in cities where they make use of gardens, cemeteries, wasteland and parks.
The steepest decline in hedgehog numbers is in rural areas. Hedgehogs are nocturnal and under normal circumstances should not be out in daylight.
The decline in hedgehog numbers is due to several factors including but not limited to
- loss and fragmentation of their habitat,
- overly manicured gardens with impermeable fencing,
- pesticide use (including slug pellets)
- netting
- garden ponds and swimming pools with no exit ramp
- unchecked bonfires
- litter
- road mortality.
The hedgehog is carnivorous, it's diet is comprised of beetles, worms, caterpillars and other insects. They are known to take eggs from ground nesting birds and will eat some small mammals. Additional feeding of cat and dog food from humans can be a welcome addition, especially in dry weather when foraging for insects is difficult in hard ground but is not essential. A supply of water is essential.
Hedgehogs are normally solitary only coming together to breed. They have a large range for a small animal and can travel up to 2 – 3km a night, visiting a number of gardens in one night. They aren’t particularly territorial, up to 10 hedgehogs may visit one garden over a series of nights if conditions are favourable.
Hedgehogs hibernate anytime between October and April (depending on temperature and weather patterns). They will make nests in existing features such as compost heaps, log piles, under garden sheds, or create their own from dead leaves and twigs.
Hedgehogs and the law
Hedgehogs are currently protected by the following legislation -
- Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), which makes it illegal to kill or capture them.
- Wild Mammal Protection Act 1996 prohibits against cruelty and mistreatment.
- Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, updated by the Environment Act 2021, species of principle importance.
- National Planning Policy Framework 2012 sets out the mitigation hierarchy (avoid impacts, mitigate against impacts, compensate when mitigation is not possible) and promotes the provision of enhancement.
Protected Species and South Ribble's Biodieristy Action Plan
In July 2023, South Ribble Borough Council adopted its first Biodiversity Action Plan. Within this document there is an existing commitment to undertake work to benefit protected species and their habitat via positive habitat management.
South Ribble’s Hedgehog Action Plan
What can I do?
Hedgehog Highways
Ensuring that gardens hedges or fences have a small 13 x 13 cm size hole in the bottom of them is key to allow hedgehogs to move around freely at night in search for food, a nest or a mate.
Hedgehog highways can be created at a low cost and pretty easily by cutting out a 13 x 13 cm hole, using a template, in the bottom of a fence panel or creating a hole under the fence. You will need to talk to your neighbours and let them know what you are doing and why!!
The Hedgehog Street campaign has been established to protect our precious spikey mammals as we have already lost a third of all hedgehogs since the millennium. Sign up to their website today to start your journey towards becoming a hedgehog champion.
Hedgehog Homes
As well as hedgehogs being able to roam freely it is also important that they have somewhere to hibernate safely over the winter. Building a hedgehog home in your back garden can ensure that hedgehogs have a protected, warm place to stay when those cold winter temperatures hit!
Hedgehog homes can either be built from scratch or existing garden features can be used, such as an undisturbed compost heaps or piles of logs.
Record your hedgehog sightings and hedgehog holes
Use the Big Hedgehog Map to record any sightings and create a record of where these creatures are across the UK. You can also use this site to map your hedgehog hole.
Sick or injured hedgehogs
If you find a sick or injured hedgehog you should contact Leyland Hedgehog Rescue on 07936986024 or find alternative rescue centres locally. There is also advice on the RSPCA website.
Feeding hedgehogs
Supplementary feeding of cat or dog food can help hedgehogs in really dry weather when they struggle to get worms out of the ground.
Providing a source of water in your garden is valuable to hedgehogs and other wildlife. This can be as simple shallow dish for them to drink from. If you have a garden pond or water feature, you will need to make sure that there is at least one gently sloping side or an exit ramp should a hedgehog fall in while trying to get a drink.