Hedgehog Awareness Week: 30th April – 6th May 2017

Ah, hedgehogs. They might be balled in alarming-looking spikes, and considered pests here and there, but it’s hard not to love these spiny little critters nonetheless.

There’s something rather special about seeing a hedgehog snuffling around in a bush nearby. However this sight is becoming increasingly rare as unpredictable weather, traffic and urban pressure contribute to the hedgehogs' precarious lifestyle. They’re wonderful creatures, and the final day in April marks an important point in the year for all hedgehog fanatics, as Hedgehog Awareness Week officially kicks off.

We’ve put together some tips on what you can do to help these mammals during Hedgehog Awareness Week and beyond...

Fun hedgehog facts!

Before we get into the serious stuff, here are some fun facts about hedgehogs for you to mull over. 

• Hedgehogs have very poor eyesight, and rely on their sense of smell and hearing to get by.
• There are 17 different species throughout the world. 
• They're naturally immune to viper venom, and in some cases have actually been known to eat the snakes that try to attack them!
• Baby hedgehogs are actually called “hoglets”. Adorable, eh?  
• Hedgehogs are often seen shuffling slowly through bushes, but these animals can actually cover a surprising 6ft per second when they spot something worth speeding for.
• Hedgehogs are perfectly happy in their own company, often only coming together with other hedgehogs to mate.

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How to care for hedgehogs

Hedgehog Awareness Week encourages us to take care of any fuzzy friends that might wander into our backyards or enjoy hanging around in your local park. Here are some of the best ways you can give local hedgehogs a helping hand: 

• Build homes and highways: All you need to do is cut small holes in fences and dig grooves below to allow hedgehogs to gain access. If you have adjacent neighbours, speak to them about co-operating. This way, hedgehogs can waddle from garden to garden with ease. 

  For a nest, push together any fallen leaves or branches and place them in a quiet, secluded corner of your garden – preferably with rich soil nearby so the hedgehogs can feed on bugs whilst they’re there too. Make sure you remember not to disturb the pile and your new spiky friends! 

• Think twice about what you put on the ground: Slug pellets and bug poison can cause considerable harm to hedgehogs. Keep the space around your home nice and natural if you can, and avoid using store-bought poison where possible. Hedgehogs will hungrily hoover up bugs in your area anyway, so there’s really no need to deck your outdoors with spray or capsules to eliminate pests.
• Keep a watchful eye on your pet: It’s important to watch your pet closely whenever hedgehogs are in the area. Cats might inquisitively circle a hedgehog for a closer look, but are prone to leaving them alone. Dogs, on the other hand, won’t think twice about attacking hedgehogs, which is troublesome for two reasons.  Firstly, a hedgehog’s sharp spines can injure your pooch. Secondly, baby hedgehogs have softer bodies than adults, and may get seriously hurt when tackled by a canine. If you spot your dog eyeing up a hedgehog, lay down the law and usher them away as soon as you possibly can.
• Check for hedgehogs before you do the gardening: Once you’ve set up a happy home for hedgehogs, you’ll need to keep your eye out for these bristly mammals whenever you do any pruning or landscaping.

  This year’s Hedgehog Awareness Week is particularly focused on strimmer safety. By carefully pulling back bushes and checking dark shrub areas, you can ensure there are no hedgehogs hiding away inside before you begin using your tools. 

• Put a lid on things: A lot of people end up discovering hedgehogs that have fallen into drains and pools after plodding around in the deep of the night. You can help keep these animals safe by plugging gaps in your backyard, putting lids over holes, and covering pool areas with weighed-down wire.

​​What to do when you see a hedgehog in trouble

If you spot a visibly malnourished or weak hedgehog (which can happen during the colder months when food is scarce) you can help by placing a tin of a cat/dog food beside them. A dish of cold, fresh water will also keep them hydrated.

If you see a hedgehog in visible distress the best thing you can do is contact your local rescue centre as soon as possible. The expert on the other end of the line will then be able to offer you step-by-step guidelines on how to help the animal.

We'll leave it there for Hedgehog Awareness Week, feel free to send this blog to your friends to get more people involved in helping out these spiky creatures! For more conservation content view all of our blogs here.