| General hedgehog info HEDGEHOGS
The Latin word for hedgehog 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. 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. Uplands
and mountainsides are not popular, probably because they
lack both suitable food and suitable nesting places.
Hedgehogs are well established in our urban habitat and can,
somewhat surprisingly, survive very well in our cities,
making extremely good use of cemeteries, railway land,
wasteland and both public and private gardens. Shakespeare
mentions hedgehogs in ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Midsummer Night’s
Dream’ and he refers to ‘hedgepigs’ and ‘urchins’.
Description
Everyone is sure to know what a hedgehog looks like. The
hedgehog’s back and sides are covered in 25mm (1”) long
spines (which are really modified hairs). These are absent
from the face, throat, chest, belly, and legs, which are
covered with coarse, grey-brown fur. There are approximately
5,000/7,000 spines on an average adult hedgehog. What many
people do not know is that a hedgehog has a small tail.
Diet - Hedgehogs are noisy eaters as people who
have encountered these animals 'at table' will testify; but
what do they actually eat?
Beetles are a major food item along with caterpillars and
earthworms. Most people are aware that hedgehogs are
basically insect eaters.
However, many householders put out a saucer of meat based
pet food for their garden friends. 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.
Always ensure that a dish of water is available especially
during the summer months or in extreme weather conditions.
A recommended diet is listed under ‘Caring for Autumn
Juveniles’.
Garden Visitors
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. 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.
Helping your Friends
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.
Slug Pellets
These are poisonous and should not be used. If absolutely
necessary, pellets should be placed in a pipe or under a
slate inaccessible to hedgehogs. Remove dead slugs daily.
Use other pesticides sparingly; or better still not at all,
you never know what else they might kill or make sick.
Always try alternative methods – see the British Hedgehog
Preservation Society leaflet on
Creating a Wildlife Garden.
Garden Ponds/Swimming Pools can be death traps to
small mammals so always ensure that there are several gently
sloping slipways to allow them to escape if they fall in.
Ensure the pool cover is on every night and that polystyrene
floats are placed near the side for a hedgehog to cling to.
Slipways may be made by half submerging bricks or rocks
around the edges of ponds and pools. Alternatively a piece
of chicken wire can be hung over the edge like a scrambling
net which hedgehogs can climb up to freedom. Keep the pond
level topped up so that hedgehogs can reach the wire. Do
remember hoglets will need a longer ramp than an adult
hedgehog.
 Cattle
and Sheep Grids
Many small animals including hedgehogs and birds cannot
escape from sheer-sided pits beneath the grids. A small ramp
or slope in the corner of the pit enables the trapped
animals to walk out. – See the British Hedgehog Preservation
Society leaflet ‘Ramps’.
Other Dangers
Hedgehogs can become entangled in tennis and other nets
causing death by starvation. Roll up the net well above
ground when not in use. Keep pea netting 22 –30cms (9 – 12”)
off the ground so hedgehogs can pass safely underneath them
and plants will grow up to the netting. Legs can also become
trapped in “log roll” edging.
Hedgehogs are inquisitive and will try to eat almost
anything, a trait that can lead to their undoing. Having
been attracted by the remaining contents, hedgehogs have
been found with their heads stuck in tins, yoghurt pots and
plastic cups. Always cut the plastic rings of “carry 4 and 6
pack” holders. To prevent such unnecessary deaths, litter
should be disposed of in a proper manner. Keep bags used for
putting out household rubbish off the ground. This will
prevent hedgehogs reaching them and tearing into the bag,
they can become trapped in the rubbish or even put out for
refuse collection.
Keep drains covered so that hedgehogs do not become stuck
down them. Bean trenches, footings, fencing holes and car
inspection pits are all potential death traps for hedgehogs.
Provide an escape route e.g. a sloping plank or cover the
holes so hedgehogs do not become trapped.
Keep shed, greenhouse and garage doors closed at night so
hedgehogs are not tempted to make a nest in them and perhaps
become trapped when doors are permanently closed. Store
chemicals safely.
When replacing walls or fencing try to provide a hole so
hedgehogs can continue to pass from your garden into your
neighbour’s gardens without difficulty. Use environmentally
safe wood preservatives on your fences, garden furniture and
wooden buildings.
Do keep dogs under control if you know you have hedgehogs
in the garden. Also remember that whilst your dog may be
hedgehog friendly, visitor’s dogs may not. If in doubt keep
your dog on a lead when it goes out into the garden when it
is dark.
Hedgehogs in the Garden
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. They should not be kept in close captivity, but
regarded as welcome visitors.
Parasites - If it is necessary to remove fleas
from a hedgehog, then a commercially prepared powder
suitable for caged birds (Johnson’s Rid-Mite) 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.
Blood-sucking ticks are often found on hedgehogs and
after taking their fill of blood, will drop off the host in
order to complete their life cycle. Removal of these ticks
is a difficult task but can be accomplished by dousing the
ticks in olive/almond/cooking oil. Removing these ticks with
forceps is to be avoided as the inexperienced may leave the
mouthparts and head in the skin that may turn septic.
Caring for Autumn Juveniles - Hedgehogs may give
birth to their hoglets late in the year. Such youngsters
will not have enough time to build up sufficient fat
reserves to enable them to survive hibernation. The minimum
weight to see them through the winter is 450gms (1lb) and
any hedgehog below this weight is likely to have problems.
However many hedgehog carers prefer to get their autumn
juveniles up to 600gms (1lb 6oz) or more to give them an
extra edge. Autumn juveniles i.e. youngsters found alone
under this critical weight after the end of September, will
need extra help even if it is just additional feeding in the
garden (call the British Hedgehog Preservation Society for further advice on 01584 890 801).
If the hoglet is very young (under 160gms/6 oz) it should
be given extra warmth with a hot water bottle wrapped in
towelling or a blanket, or a heated pad – again call the
British Hedgehog Preservation Society for advice. It should be placed in a box with plenty of
clean, fresh straw, crumpled newspapers or old towelling for
bedding. Out buildings are fine if heated but don't put
hedgehogs on a metal grid or wire floor or straight onto
concrete - they have sensitive feet and cold will permeate
through.
Once eating, a suitable diet can consist of meat based
pet food (not in gravy), cooked chicken (excluding bones),
minced beef or lamb, a little bran or unsweetened moistened
muesli cereal and added vitamins – like SA37. Other snacks
enjoyed are banana, raisins, unsweetened crushed digestive
biscuits and dry cat or hedgehog biscuits. Fresh water
should ALWAYS be available. Cows milk SHOULD NOT be given.
For the care of very young hoglets – offer warmth as above
and seek immediate advice. The British Hedgehog Preservation
Society has a leaflet:
Caring for Hoglets available from the address below.
However, this is a specialised job and it may be better to
pass the hoglet(s) onto an experienced carer. Call the
British Hedgehog Preservation Society on
01584 890 801 for details of your nearest carer.
Once the animal has reach 600-800gms (1lb 6oz – 1lb 13oz)
release can be considered. Choose a period of relatively
warm, damp weather and ensure that plenty of dry nesting
material is available for the hedgehog to build a winter
nest and hibernate. If in doubt do not release until late
April when food is more plentiful, allowing the up-to-weight
hedgehog to hibernate in a cold out house in a box filled
with dry fresh straw providing food until it is no longer
taken. Once hibernating provide dry foods so should the
hedgehog wake it will have food and water available. Ensure
that hedgehogs already inhabit the proposed release site, as
this is an indication that the area is 'hedgehog friendly'.
See the British Hedgehog Preservation Society leaflet ‘Into the Wild’.
 Hibernation
If you want to attract wildlife to your garden leave
wild areas and avoid tidying up too much. Hedgehogs tend to
hibernate between November and mid March and may choose the
stack of leaves or branches in your garden. For this reason
if you have to get rid of such material move it to a
different spot before setting fire to it - a hedgehog may be
sheltering or hibernating in it. They like to nest under
things such as sheds, hedges and brushwood and they need
plenty of dry leaves to build their nest.
Acknowledgements and Further Reading
The use of information from *’Hedgehogs’ (Whittet
Books, 1993 price £9.99) by Dr. Pat Morris is gratefully
acknowledged. Dr Morris is one of the country’s leading
hedgehog experts and his book gives factual, down to earth
information on hedgehog behaviour, habits, physiology and
private life, illustrated with delightful and amusing
drawings by Guy Troughton.
*This book may be ordered direct from the British
Hedgehog Preservation Society.
|
The
British Hedgehog Preservation Society