The Basic Facts

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?

Hedgehog's diet

This diagram shows that 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
These 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 and the reproduction of illustrations 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.  Contact us for more information.