Team Wilder hedgehogs

Who doesn't love hedgehogs? They're found in gardens, hedgerows, woodlands, grasslands, parks and cemeteries - which are all important habitats. Adult hedgehogs travel 1-2km over area's as big as 10-20 hectares, per night! An important and easy action to help hedgehogs is giving them freedom to access the green spaces. 

Above are some great pictures of how you can help hedgehogs at home, in the community and at school. 

Tom in Bedminster, BS3 in Bristol made his garden more accessible for hedgehogs by cutting a hole in his fence/garden gate. This hedgehog hole was cut by himself and he also got together with neighbours so that their street and neighbouring streets do this as well. An active local group, the BS3 Hedgehog Project promotes, supports and champions helping hedgehogs locally. 

The Thornbury Community Permaculture Project have added many hedgehog holes around the site (a council owned retirement home), as well as using permaculture principles to grow a variety of organic plants and providing habitats to work with nature and encourage wildlife. Various hedgehog houses are also located around their green space, near to ponds and long grasses. 

Nicola in Brislington, BS4 in Bristol has many wildlife encounters in her garden, including hedgehogs. Her and her neighbours all have hedges, which allows our spikey friends to roam free looking for food, shelter and water.

Hedgehogs, bats and dormice truly hibernate in the UK. Hedgehogs go into a state of 'torpor' from October/November to March/April, where their body temperature and metabolism slows down to save energy. They must be healthy and well fed before going into hibernation. 

Don't disturb hedgehog hibernation habitats which can be in piles of leaves, dead wood piles, compost heaps and under sheds/pots/decking. If you accidentally disturb one - cover it back up straight away or take to a hedgehog rescue if injured.

HOW TO:  build a hibernation box

Planting hedges with medium sized leaves, provides nest materials for hedgehogs. Plus hedges allow them to travel around, creating a natural hedgehog highway. It is recommended to leave out nesting materials in the garden for hedgehogs to build their nests - e.g. dry hay, leaves. 

More about: Native hedges and dead hedges

Hedgehogs are known as amazing pest controllers by eating slugs and snails! They do eat them, but this is only a small part of their diet, a much lager part is made up of beetles, worms, caterpillars and other invertebrates. Especially before hibernation, it is important for hedgehogs to have eaten well!What to feed hedgehogs and badgers

TIP: Encourage insects in your garden to encourage hedgehogs, by planting a variety of plants and creating habitats such as bug hotels and log piles etc. 
HOW TO: Build a bug hotel