National Hedgehog day on 2nd February aims to raise awareness of this iconic UK species. These cute little guys are an important part of our garden ecosystems. You can give them a helping hand by growing plants that house the slugs and insects the hedgehogs can hoover up. Hedgehogs measure around 20–25cm long and have a distinctive waddling gait. They have long snouts and no classic brown spines on their underbellies, faces or limbs.
Although these cute spikey balls are much loved across the UK they are under threat, from loss of habitats and habitat corridors that they used to travel between gardens and green spaces. Last year at COP16 Hedgehogs were globally classified as "near threatened", as a result of a 30% decline in their numbers. This means that the populations in under considerable threat and if action is not taken then the population will continue to decline and eventually this many even result in extinction.
Don't fret just yet, we are a long way off and there's plenty we can do to help out! The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), have worked together to create the first ever national conservation strategy to help conserve and protect the hedgehog population. The strategies were compiled by working with over 30 NGOs, creating a guide identifying threats to the species. To read the strategy visit BHPS here.
You don't need to be a big organisation or a charity to help protect hedgehogs. There are tons of ways in which you can take little actions to make your gardens a bit more hedgehog friendly, to give them a bit of a helping hand.
Create a hedgehog home - check out the RSPCA guide here.
Leave a pile of leaves or twigs at the back of your garden.
Avoid using slug pesticides.
Create hedgehog highways, by leaving a small hole in your fence or opting for bushes where you can.
Feed hedgehogs with cat or dog food overnight.
Cover holes and drains that they could fall into,
Ensure any pools have an exit ramp. Although hedgehogs are good swimmers, they have short legs and would need a ramp or slope to exit bodies of water.
Always check bonfires before you light them, as they often provide ideal homes.
If you spot a hedgehog you can report it on the BIG Hedgehog Map here.
