29/10/2025
Not Just A Cardiff Problem 🦔
🦔 HEDGEHOGS: FROM 30,000,000 TO 1,000,000
We need to take more care of them and their hoglets 🦔
Especially during Bonfire Night 🔥
🦔 UK public-issued plea as hedgehog numbers drop from 30 million to one million 🦔
There are now fewer than one million hedgehogs in the UK - a steep decline from the 30 million in the 1950s. Families are being encouraged to assist hedgehogs in building essential fat reserves and providing a safe haven for them this autumn before they hibernate. Ecologists from Arbtech.co.uk have offered six straightforward methods that households can follow to safeguard this much-adored, vulnerable species.
A recent survey carried out by Arbtech revealed that 48 per cent of Brits haven't spotted a hedgehog in the wild in the past five years. Hedgehogs are considered a vulnerable species, facing threats such as habitat destruction, road accidents, and exposure to pesticides.
However, recent reports do suggest some encouraging signs of recovery in urban populations, although rural numbers continue to see a dramatic decline. As autumn is in full swing and winter is on the horizon, hedgehogs will be focusing on increasing their food consumption and constructing a nest in the coming weeks. The hibernation period can be extremely challenging once it arrives. The mammals may find themselves at risk of freezing, predation, and even starvation if they fail to accumulate enough fat reserves.
Small, simple actions - like offering additional food or setting up a safe feeding area in the form of a 'hedgehog cafe' - can make a big difference in helping hedgehogs to survive, reports the Daily Record.Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal creatures, which means they typically rest throughout daylight hours. This night time behaviour helps them avoid predators and extreme weather conditions. Should you encounter a hedgehog during the day, this could signal the creature is poorly or hurt. However, it might also be an expectant or nursing mother, or simply a peckish hedgehog on a brief food-hunting expedition.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal to avoid predators. Nocturnal activity also helps them avoid the heat of the sun. Plus, their main food sources, like insects and other invertebrates, are also more active at night. Leo Plevin from Arbtech said: "Hedgehogs are disappearing before our own eyes, but the good news is that families can make a real difference. Small things like leaving out a bowl of water, creating a gap in your fence, or even just leaving a pile of leaves in your garden can all help hedgehogs to thrive."Hibernation is a dangerous time for hedgehogs, but the smallest helping hand could ensure thousands make it through to spring." Here are six straightforward methods to assist hedgehogs this autumn 🍂
1. Transform your garden into a hedgehog haven
Creating small openings in your fencing, big enough for a hedgehog to squeeze through, enables them to wander freely whilst hunting for sustenance. Additionally, steer clear of items such as slug pellets, pesticides and other toxic substances that could potentially harm hedgehogs if consumed.
2. Offer refuge for winter dormancy.
Hedgehogs require a secure, sheltered space to hibernate in order to endure the chilly winter months and conserve their essential body heat. Supply them with materials like heaps of leaves and logs for nest building, or even a purpose-built hedgehog house. Providing shelter also encourages them to stay nearby, making it easier for them to find food.
3. Establish a safe feeding area
Feeding stations are an excellent way for hedgehogs to safely access food and water, away from dogs, cats, and traffic. To create a 'hedgehog cafe', use a robust wooden or plastic box with a removable lid, and carve a hedgehog-sized hole at the base of one side. Ensure it's spacious enough for a hedgehog, along with food and water dishes.
4. Provide additional food
The best choices are plain kitten biscuits or meat-based wet dog or cat food. Specialist hedgehog food can also be purchased commercially, but bear in mind that this isn't regulated and the quality can vary. Never feed bread as it provides little nutritional value, and always ensure to remove any uneaten food overnight and replace it with fresh offerings the following evening.
5. Supply fresh water
Providing shallow bowls of fresh water can be a vital source of hydration for hedgehogs, who would typically get water from natural sources such as dew on plants, puddles or wildlife ponds. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so never offer milk as it can make them ill.
6. Monitor for illness or injury
If you encounter a hedgehog that seems unwell or injured, it should be taken into care. You can reach out to local rescue groups for help. Some signs that might suggest a hedgehog is ill include lethargy, being active during the day, heavy breathing, and wobbling.
