Hedgehogs are gorgeous spiny creature that do surprisingly well is urban environments. They are known to inhabit waste sites, cemeteries, parks, railway land and our gardens.

These green spaces in cities like Bristol can make great homes for hedgehogs, provided they are linked up with sufficient ‘road-free’ routes!

Sadly, the hedgehog population has been declining rapidly since the 1960s in rural England. This is partly due to the increase in roads, and party due to a lack of food resources for hedgehogs in more rural areas, with the rise of more intensive agriculture.

However, these clever ‘hogs have taken it upon themselves to move into our more urban environments, where they can find more food and thrive!

• Avoid using pesticides! Go pesticide-free in your own garden, and campaign your local authority to stop using pesticides which drastically reduce insect populations (which hedgehogs love to eat!)
   
• Create a ‘hedgehog highway’ by cutting low holes in your fence for hedgehogs to pass through safely. Why not ask your neighbours to do the same, so that more gardens are linked together?
   
• Create wild areas of your garden with tall, native wildflowers, offering cover and food for visiting ‘hogs. Beetles and caterpillars are an important part of a hedgehog’s diet, so they can be a real asset to your garden!
   
• If you want to help supplement a hedgehogs natural diet, you can provide a dish of cat or dog food and leave out fresh water. Make sure the pet food has meat listed as the first ingredient, as they cannot digest cereal.
   
• Add the hedgehogs you spot to the Big Hedgehog Map! This is a national map where you can upload your sightings, which will help guide conservation action in your region and across the UK. To add a hedgehog to the map, visit www.bighedgehogmap.org and click on ‘I’ve seen a hedgehog’ – you’ll be asked some questions about your sighting, including whether you’re part of a regional project linked to the Big Hedgehog Map, which you are! Select ‘Avon Wildlife Trust’ and be a citizen scientist.
   
• Join your local hedgehog group! There are lots of local hedgehog projects here in Bristol, you can find your nearest one at www.bristolwildlifegroups.wordpress.com/hedgehogs/ You’ll also find lots of great tips on this website, from more information on what food hedgehogs can and can’t eat, to how to create your very own ‘hog house!

Don’t forget to add any action you take to help hedgehogs to our Team Wilder map! This will help to inspire others to do the same, as they can see just how many of us are making a difference for our local wildlife.