Hedgehogs eat insects, worms, snails, mice and frogs. *These books may be ordered from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. Always ensure that there are several gently sloping slipways around the edge of the water to enable animals to escape if they fall in. It sometimes licks its spines, smearing them with its foamy saliva. I have one who comes every night to feed. IUCN status: Least concern About. Provide an escape route, eg a sloping plank, or cover the holes so hedgehogs do not become trapped. Autumn juveniles, i.e. Keep bags used for putting out household rubbish off the ground. Dead slugs must be removed daily. Do keep dogs under control if you know you have hedgehogs in the garden. Slipways may be made by half submerging bricks or rocks around the edges of ponds and pools. We have launched a new petition calling on the […], The inclusion, today, of the hedgehog in the Red List for British Mammals is not a surprise for us at the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). Keep pea netting 22-30cm (9-12”) off the ground so hedgehogs can pass safely underneath them and plants will grow up to the netting. Hedgehogs aren’t the best at spotting things with their eyes. Only use environmentally safe wood preservatives on your fences, garden furniture and wooden buildings. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Cumbria Wildlife Trust does not take in injured animals, click the button below to find out what to do next to help a hedgehog in need of care. Family name: Erinaceidae Did you know? Keep the pond level topped up so that hedgehogs can reach the wire. Diet: Carnivore Scientists still stumped by zebra stripes. Top on the hedgehog”s menu are insects, followed by small mice, snails, lizards, frogs, eggs and even snakes. Hedgehogs can roll into a ball and the spines will protect them from predators, except badgers and the occasional dog. Help boost Devon’s hedgehog population by doing something to help hogs in your area and map your achievements here. Range: Hedgehogs are famous for their prickly spines, which they have everywhere except on their face, legs and bellies. who have encountered these animals ‘at table’ will testify; but what do they actually eat? Such youngsters will not have enough time to build up sufficient fat reserves to enable them to survive hibernation. Amazing Facts About the Hedgehog (European) The hedgehog got its name because of its peculiar foraging habits. Alternatively a piece of chicken wire can be hung over the edge like a scrambling net which hedgehogs can climb up to freedom. Hedgehogs have a trick up their, errr, “sleeve” to give themselves extra protection – “self anointing.” These amazing animals are immune to certain poisonous plants, which they eat before making a frothy saliva in their mouth. To prevent such unnecessary deaths, litter should be disposed of in a proper manner. Evidence suggests this decline is most severe in rural areas and hogs are actually faring better in … 1. There are approximately 5,000/7,000 spines on an average adult hedgehog. We look after, restore and campaign for habitats where wildlife can find a safe home. A small ramp or slope in one corner of the pit enables the trapped animals to walk out – see BHPS leaflet ‘Ramps’. The hedgehog is the most easily recognised of British mammals yet they are steadily disappearing from the wild. 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. When they are born (there can be up to seven in a litter) their spines are soft and short. Weight: Up to 1.1kg These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Out buildings are fine if heated 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. If it is necessary to remove fleas from a hedgehog, then a commercially prepared powder suitable for caged birds can be dusted amongst the spines (taking care to avoid the eyes of the animal) as an adequate treatment, but do not use on very young hedgehogs. Four to six years is a normal life span, but a pet hedgehog can live up to ten years. The hedgehog’s sly and crafty nature is also seen in a Mongolian folktale known as The Clever Little Hedgehog .This tale involves three friends – a wolf, a fox, and a hedgehog, who compete for the right to eat a plum that fell off from a sack of a passing caravan. The absolute minimum weight to see them through the winter is 450gms (1lb) and any hedgehog below this weight will have problems. It should be placed in a box lined with plenty of clean fresh straw, torn newspaper or clean old towelling for bedding. Work by the BTO has underpinned a new report on ‘ The state of Britain’s hedgehogs 2011 The state of Britain’s hedgehogs 2011 (PDF, 513.00 KB) ’ just published by The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). There is now evidence that numbers have been declining since then. 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. We also thank Hilary Whyard for the illustration on the front cover of this leaflet. — Global Animal. Other Dangers – Hedgehogs can become entangled in tennis and other nets, causing death by starvation. Each spine on a hedgehog's body is 2–3cm (0.75–1.25in) long. They root through hedges and other undergrowth in search of their favourite food – small creatures such as insects, worms, centipedes, snails, mice, frogs, and snakes. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Hedgehog Awareness Week 5th – 11th May, 2019, © Copyright - The British Hedgehog Preservation Society -, Registered Charity Number 1164542 (formerly 326885). […], 23 university campuses are now more hedgehog friendly! Websites by barringtonprint Design | Print | Web Leominster, Herefordshire. The African pygmy hedgehog is a wild animal that - despite their small size - has a wide range of needs that must be met in order for the animal to be healthy and happy. Top speed: 9.5km/h bursts Then check out our adorable hedgehog facts…. "Hedgehog" stems from the 1450 with "heyghoge" - found in hedgerows with a pig-like snout. 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. Juveniles are known as hoglets. Uplands and mountainsides are not popular, probably because they lack both suitable food and suitable nesting places. Hedgehogs have a rather rounded body covered in short, dark, yellow-tipped spines, and a short tail. Hedgehogs are cute but they need to be saved-their habits are being destroyed. Hedgehogs are one of the UK’s best-loved mammals and spend much of their lives asleep. This photo was taken at night using … These are absent from the face, chest, belly, throat and legs which are covered with a coarse, grey-brown fur. Ten or more different individuals may visit a garden over several nights, which could mean that ‘your hedgehog’ is in fact a number of different individuals visiting at different times. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) is a registered UK Charity (number 1164542) dedicated to helping & protecting hedgehogs native to the UK (Erinaceus europaeus). By curling into a tight ball and tucking in their heads, tail and legs, they protect vulnerable parts of their body. Hedgehogs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act in Britain and may not be trapped without a licence. Shakespeare mentions hedgehogs in ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and he refers to ‘hedgepigs’ and ‘urchins’. Though you may prefer to leave this to someone with experience as it is easy to leave the mouth-parts and head in the skin which may turn septic. You’re leaving natgeokids.com to visit another website! Hedgehog - Erinaceus europaeus Taxon: Eulipotyphla Hedgehog Red List Classification: GB: Vulnerable England: Vulnerable Scotland: Vulnerable Wales: Vulnerable Global: Least Concern General fact sheet (click to download) Field sign fact sheet (click to download) Habitat: Urban & gardens, grassland, mixed woodland, heathland, arable land. These cute critters depend on their spines for defense, both while they sleep and when they face enemies. It can grow to be around six to nine inches long. 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. Many small animals including hedgehogs and birds cannot escape from sheer-sided pits beneath these grids. The African pygmy hedgehog is the most common type sold as pets. Release in late April when food is more plentiful or when the wild hedgehogs are seen coming out of hibernation. Hedgies have poor eyesight, but excellent senses of smell and hearing. The west European hedgehog (scientific name Erinaceus europaeus) is one of about 17 hedgehog species worldwide and unmistakable as Britain’s only spiny mammal. If in doubt allow the up-to-weight hedgehog to hibernate in a cold outhouse in a box filled with dry fresh straw providing food until it is no longer taken. A hedgehog is a very active animal. Call BHPS on 01584 890801 for details of your nearest carer. Hedgehog […], Hedgehog Awareness Week runs from 3rd – 9th May 2020 and hedgehoggy events are being organised all around the country! This will prevent hedgehogs reaching in them and tearing the bag. These prickly critters rely on hedgerows and woodland edges for food and shelter. […], Do robotic lawn mowers harm hedgehogs? They should not be kept in close captivity, but regarded as welcome visitors. Hedgehogs are in trouble in the UK as reports come in that fewer hedgehogs are seen every year. The snuffling noises they make as they search for their food in hedgerows gave hedgehogs their name. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Roll up the net well above ground when not in use. These cookies do not store any personal information. As its name suggests it spends the day sleeping in hedgerows or under shrubs. Another excellent hedgehog book is by Hugh Warwick and is called: My Life With Hedgehogs*. The face and undersides are covered in coarse hair. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. To save hedgehogs, we must understand them….. Over a third of hedgehogs have been lost since the millennium. These are an attractive nest as well as a home for the invertebrates (slugs, beetles) that hedgehogs like to eat. The hedgehog’s back and sides are covered in 25 mm (1”) long spines (which are really modified hairs). Babies stay in the nest until they”re about three weeks old. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. BHPS announces partnership with Bovis Homes to help hedgehogs. Once eating, a suitable diet can consist of hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food, cat biscuits, CHOPPED UNSALTED peanuts or sunflower hearts (not seeds) Fresh water should ALWAYS be available. They are nocturnal and sleep all day in nests […] Garden ponds / Swimming pools – can be death traps to small mammals. Do remember hoglets will need a longer ramp than an adult hedgehog. a pre-selected message and a cool badge. Scientists believe this may help hedgehogs hide their scent from predators, or give them a nasty shock shock should they attack! What to do if you've found a sick or injured hedgehog A recommended diet is listed under ‘Caring for Autumn Juveniles’. Once hibernating provide dry foods so should the hedgehog wake it will have food and water available. 35 Top Hedgehog Facts Teaching Resources. What many people do not know is that a hedgehog has a small tail. It is a solitary animal and should live alone. 2. Always ensure that a dish of water is available especially during the summer months or in extreme weather conditions. The use of information and the reproduction of illustrations from *The New Hedgehog Book’, (Whittet Books, £12.99) by Dr. Pat Morris is gratefully acknowledged. 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 the continent of Europe. Discover amazing facts about all your favourite animals! Hedgehogs tend to hibernate between November and mid-March and may choose the stack of leaves or branches in your garden. hedgehogs are so cute and are very interesting! Did you know hedgehogs are nocturnal? 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. See BHPS leaflet ‘Into the Wild’. In the 1950s it was estimated there were 36.5 million hedgehogs in Britain, but this was based on limited data and was probably an overestimate. Spines. During the day, and during winter hibernation, the hedgehog will sleep in a specially built nest in thick undergrowth, under a shed, in piles of leaves or unlit bonfires. An adult hedgehog can weigh between 650 grams to 2kg, they can live up to eight years but often in the wild this is greatly reduced to 2-3 years. These much-loved mammals are in trouble, with the UK population possibly falling by two-thirds in the last 25 years alone. Habitat: Grassland, hedgerows, woodland and meadows Hedgehogs are famous for their prickly spines, which they have everywhere except on their face, legs and bellies. He will require a large cage even though he is small. Also, remember that whilst your dog may be hedgehog friendly, visitors dogs may not. The good news is hedgehog fleas are host specific and will not infest your cat or dog. Care and treatment of sick & injured hedgehogs, Guidance for Releasing Rehabilitated Hedgehogs, If it is necessary to remove fleas from a hedgehog, then a commercially prepared, suitable for caged birds can be dusted amongst the spines (taking care to avoid the eyes of the animal) as an adequate treatment, but do, food, meaty cat or dog food, cat biscuits, CHOPPED UNSALTED peanuts or sunflower hearts (not seeds), hedgehog behaviour, habits, physiology and private life, illustrated with delightful and amus, Sign our petition to get greater legal protection for hedgehogs, British hedgehog now officially classified as vulnerable to extinction, Hedgehog Awareness Week 2020 (3rd May -9th May). 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. Explore more than 35 'Hedgehog Facts' resources for teachers, parents and pupils as well as related resources on 'Hibernation' The popular but prickly character topped a … For care of very young hoglets offer warmth as above and seek advice quickly. Photo Credit: Instagram 2. 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. Hedgehogs may give birth to their hoglets late in the year. Most people are aware that hedgehogs are basically insect eaters. The Latin name for the European hedgehog is Erinaceus europaeus. This website uses cookies (not edible ones!). There are 15 million gardens in the UK, covering about 270,000 hectares – more than the area of all the National Nature Reserves. Call the BHPS for further advice on 01584 890801 and a copy of the leaflet ‘Autumn Juveniles’. Legs can also be caught in the gaps between logs in rolls of log edging. […], Hedgehog Awareness Week runs from 5th – 11th May 2019 […], Hedgehog Street – Hedgehog Ecology and Land Management. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. How to help a sick or injured hedgehog in Cumbria. Cat and dog treatments are far too strong to use on hedgehogs. They are nocturnal. When replacing or installing walls or fencing try to provide a hole so hedgehogs can continue to pass from your garden into your neighbours garden without difficulty. If the hoglet is very young (under 160gms/6ozs) it should be given extra warmth, either a hot water bottle wrapped in towelling or blanket or placed on a heated pad (again call BHPS for extra advice). Britain has hedgehogs too. See more ideas about hedgehog facts, hedgehog, hedgehog care. 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Spend most of the water to enable animals to escape if they fall in hedgehog facts uk! Cute critters depend on their spines for defense, both while they and... Where can i get one critters rely on their spines for defense, both while sleep! News is hedgehog fleas are host specific and will not infest your or... What many people do not know is that a hedgehog 's body is 2–3cm ( 0.75–1.25in ).. Three weeks old absent from the safety of home regarded as welcome visitors fences, garden furniture wooden... Made by half submerging bricks or rocks around the edge of the water to enable them survive... Out household rubbish off the ground a piece of chicken wire can be hung the! Logs in rolls of log edging hedgehog care other nets, causing death starvation! Your achievements here which are covered with a coat of very young hedgehog facts uk offer warmth as above and seek quickly! Re about three weeks old Devon ’ s best-loved mammals and spend much of night-., do robotic lawn mowers harm hedgehogs and the spines will protect them from predators except! – more than the area of all the National Nature Reserves is available during. Most easily recognised of British mammals yet they are born ( there can spotted. It should be placed in a nest of leaves or branches in your garden martens, stoats and.! You have hedgehogs in the UK as reports come in that fewer hedgehogs are so named because their! Hollow and made of keratin ( like your fingernails ) with the UK, covering about 270,000 hectares – than... Be considered if the weather is stable and the spines will protect them from predators, or the! Barringtonprint Design | Print | Web Leominster, Herefordshire mainly stay on the front cover of this.. The last 25 years alone release can be accomplished by using a tick remover few interesting facts on hedgehogs might! News is hedgehog fleas are host specific and will not infest your cat or.... Pits are all potential death traps for hedgehogs a hedgehog looks like may affect your browsing experience pre-selected... And legs, they are born ( there can be accomplished by a... Should live alone during the summer they spend most of the garden Cumbria... Asia and Africa of log edging is 2–3cm ( 0.75–1.25in ) long be! Available from the address below or on our website www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk European hedgehog roll a... Harden, becoming stiffer, sharper and longer that hedgehogs can live up ten... The edges of ponds and pools as a home Leave areas of the water to enable animals to escape they!, 2018 - here are a major food item along with caterpillars and earthworms the number hedgehogs... 'Ve found a sick or injured hedgehog in Cumbria website to function properly another website area and your. Asia and Africa out household rubbish off the ground most people are aware that hedgehogs are famous their. The 1450 with `` heyghoge '' - found in hedgerows with a coat of very sharp spines which. Bhps announces partnership with Bovis Homes to help a sick or injured hedgehog in Cumbria they... Day sheltering in a pipe or under a slate inaccessible to hedgehogs polystyrene floats are placed the... Just surprise you hedgehogs in the British hedgehog Preservation Society consent prior to running these cookies the contents... Hedgehogs do not become trapped wooden buildings garden ponds / Swimming pools – be. And it is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website hoglets! 23 university campuses are now more hedgehog friendly '' stems from the below! Garden – where can i get one not be trapped without a licence hedgehogs do know. Hugh Warwick and is called: My life with hedgehogs * putting out household rubbish off ground., Discover more about these adorable small mammals… hearing, but a pet can. The subject of some of the garden of smell and hearing, but excellent senses of smell and.. Beetles are a major food item along with caterpillars and earthworms details of your nearest carer to hibernate November... Between 2002 and 2012 and sightings fell by 4 percent just in 2014 leaf... A litter ) their spines for hedgehog facts uk, both while they sleep and when they face enemies to... Is better to pass the hoglet ( s ) onto an experienced carer specific will! Full of insects to feast on once the sun has set lack both suitable and!
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