Everything You Need to Know About Wild Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs face varying survival challenges throughout the year, from the warmth of summer to the harsh cold of winter. Every season has its own challenge but with the right information, you can always make sure they have a helping hand whenever they need it. That’s why charities like Wild Hogs Hedgehog Rescue have been created to aid wild hedgehogs in their time of need. 

In spring, British hedgehogs emerge from hibernation, hungry and seeking food to replenish their energy reserves. During this period, they are particularly active at night, foraging for insects, worms, and other small invertebrates. You can support these hedgehogs by creating a hedgehog friendly environment. Providing shallow dishes of fresh water and leaving out food suitable for them helps ensure they have access to vital nutrition. You can even get a bit creative with your landscaping by maintaining a log pile or leaf heap to offer hedgehogs shelter and a safe space to nest. Avoiding the use of pesticides ensures a healthy ecosystem, making gardens safe havens for these prickly pals.  

During the summer months, hedgehogs in the UK are at their most active, dedicating much of their time to feeding and breeding. The warm weather prompts an abundance of insects, worms, and other invertebrates, which form the bulk of their protein rich diet. This period is crucial for female hedgehogs as they prepare for or nurture their young, known as hoglets. To support these little guys you can continue to provide plenty of food and water. If a mother hedgehog doesn’t have to travel very far to feed herself, she will have more energy to nurture her little ones.  

Allowing a section of your garden to become wild and overgrown will help to create the perfect habitat for all the tasty bugs they like to track down. These practices take next to no effort and will ensure that they have the resources they need to thrive during the warmer months.  

As autumn approaches, they will begin to prepare for hibernation. They focus on building up fat reserves to sustain them through the winter months. This period involves increased foraging activity, primarily at dusk and dawn so you may be more likely to catch a glimpse of them as they work hard.  

You can assist by leaving out supplementary food such as meaty cat or dog food and providing fresh water. This is the time of year they start to think about hunkering down so start to think about how you can best provide shelter. Autumn also happens to be the time of year when everyone usually has a little garden clean out before winter sets in. Be careful when you’re digging things up or removing piles of debris as they could be a napping spot for a hedgehog. Bonfire night is also high risk as many hedgehogs will think a bonfire looks like a nice place to sneak into to sleep through the day. Always thoroughly check a bonfire before lighting it.  

During winter, hedgehogs enter hibernation to conserve energy and survive the cold months when food sources are scarce. This state involves a significant reduction in metabolic rate, body temperature, and heart rate. They typically hibernate from late November until early March, depending on the weather conditions and their fat reserves. If they’ve had some help throughout the year in keeping well fed then they’re able to have a longer and much needed sleep.  

If you find a hibernating hedgehog, it is generally best to leave it undisturbed. However, if you come across a hedgehog that appears to be active during winter, it could be a sign of trouble, such as insufficient fat reserves so they’ve woken up early to try and find some food.  

There are several species of hedgehogs found around the world, but the one most commonly encountered in the UK is the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). This species is easily recognisable by its brown spines, small face, and short tail. Outside the UK, other notable species include the African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris), often kept as pets, and the desert hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus), adapted to arid environments. The European hedgehog is the only species native to us, where it plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling insect populations. 

It is allowed to keep certain species of hedgehogs as pets, while others are protected under various regulations. The most popular pet hedgehog is the African pygmy hedgehog. This small, domesticated species is known for its friendly disposition and manageable size, making it a wonderful option for anyone who loves the species.  

It is important to note that the native European hedgehog is protected by law and can’t be kept as a pet. Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 lists the European hedgehog as a protected species, making it illegal to sell, possess, or handle them without proper licensing.  

This legislation is in place to safeguard the wild populations of European hedgehogs, which are facing numerous threats in their natural habitats. Potential hedgehog parents should always ensure they are acquiring their pets from reputable breeders and adhere to legal guidelines to ensure the welfare of these unique animals. The only European hedgehogs in captivity are those in wildlife centres that cannot be released, usually because of an injury.  

Wild hedgehogs typically have an average lifespan of about 3 to 5 years. However, some can live up to 7 years or more if they successfully avoid predators, diseases, and the many human related threats. Their survival largely depends on their ability to find sufficient food and safe hibernation sites. Unfortunately, many hedgehogs face challenges such as habitat loss, road traffic, and poisoning from garden chemicals, which can cut short their already quite brief lifespan. Conservation efforts and creating hedgehog friendly environments in gardens and parks are crucial for helping these adorable creatures thrive and live a health and long life. 

Hedgehogs exhibit a predominantly nocturnal sleep cycle, which means they are most active during the night and sleep during the day. This nocturnal behaviour works well for them as it helps them avoid predators and extreme daytime temperatures. On average, a hedgehog will sleep for about 18 hours a day, awakening around dusk to forage for food. Their sleep is deep and uninterrupted, allowing them to conserve energy for nightly activities. 

The sleep cycle of a hedgehog can change due to several factors, including environmental conditions and seasonal variations. Environmental disruptions like light pollution or human activity can also influence their sleep cycle, sometimes causing them to be active at irregular times. Understanding these patterns is vital for anyone caring for hedgehogs. It helps when trying to create a space that lets them continue with their natural behaviour and sleeping schedule.  

If you come across a hedgehog, it is crucial to observe its behaviour before taking any action. Hedgehogs will often curl up into a ball as a defensive mechanism when they sense danger, including the presence of humans. This does not necessarily indicate that they need help. In most cases, if you leave the hedgehog undisturbed, it will unfurl and continue on its way once it perceives that the threat has passed. It’s important not to move or interfere with a hedgehog unless there are clear signs of injury or distress. Minimising human interaction is vital to ensure their natural behaviour is not disrupted. 

While avoiding contact as much as possible will typically help wild hedgehogs continue with their day to day lives, if they’re injured they often need quick help. If they sustain an injury or become unwell, their prognosis in the wild isn’t usually very promising. If they aren’t able to forage for food or find safe spaces to sleep, they won’t survive for very long so intervention becomes vital.  

Recognising the signs of distress in a hedgehog is crucial for understanding when to step in. An injured hedgehog may exhibit visible wounds, bleeding, limping, or an inability to roll into a tight ball. Hedgehogs in distress might be lethargic, unresponsive, or out during the daytime, which is unusual and a cause for concern. Other indicators include laboured breathing, coughing, or wheezing.  

If you notice any of these symptoms, stepping in to help them can save their life and get them the aid they need to get back on their feet.  

If you find an injured hedgehog, your first priority should be to ensure their safety and comfort. Carefully pick them up using garden gloves or a thick towel to avoid getting pricked by their spines. Place them in a secure, ventilated box lined with soft materials like a towel or fleece. Make sure the box is neither too hot nor too cold, as temperature extremes can exacerbate their already delicate condition. If the hedgehog is bleeding, apply gentle pressure to the wound with a clean cloth to control the bleeding. 

Transport the injured hedgehog to a local wildlife rescue centre as soon as possible. It's essential to minimise handling and stress during this period. While waiting for professional assistance, do not attempt to feed the hedgehog, as this could complicate its condition further. Instead, provide a shallow dish of water. Above all, try to keep them in a quiet, dimly lit place to reduce stress. 

The best thing you can do for an injured hedgehog is to call or get them to a specialist who can help them as soon as possible. Find your nearest wildlife rescue who should be able to help your poorly pal. If you can give details of where you found them, they will often try to release them close to their home once they’re feeling better.  

Providing a safe haven in your garden is one of the best things you can do for a hedgehog in wild environments due to the urbanisation encroaching rapidly on their natural habitats. Creating a hedgehog friendly space out of your garden can offer these creatures a sanctuary where they can feed, nest, and roam freely. By making some thoughtful adjustments, you can transform your garden into a welcoming habitat that supports the local hedgehog population to help conserve this precious species. 

Setting up food and water stations in your garden is an effective way to support wild hedgehogs. Wild hedgehog food primarily consists of insects, so a natural garden rich in beetles, caterpillars, and earthworms will naturally attract them. You can also supplement their diet with specific foods. Offer high quality, meaty cat or dog food, and avoid fish based meals. Dry cat biscuits can also be a good choice, as they help keep their teeth healthy. While they enjoy cat food in a pinch, for long term care you can find specially formulated hedgehog food wild critters can enjoy like Mr. Johnson’s Wildlife Hedgehog Food that contains everything they need. If you’re looking for a tasty treat for your garden friends, try some LFJ Millers Dried Mealworms to get them visiting more often.  

Fresh water is crucial for hedgehogs, especially during dry spells. Provide a shallow dish of water that is easy for them to access without the risk of drowning. Avoid giving milk, as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, and it can cause severe digestive issues. To make your feeding station even safer, place the food and water dishes in a sheltered area, free from potential predators and away from busy paths. Regularly clean and refill these stations to ensure the food remains fresh and the water clean. By doing so, you offer hedgehogs reliable resources and might even be rewarded with glimpses of your regular visitors.  

Providing safe shelters for hedgehogs helps protect these creatures from predators and harsh weather. You can create natural shelters using piles of logs, leaves, and compost, which mimic their natural habitats. Alternatively, specially designed hedgehog houses are available for purchase and can offer a secure sanctuary. If you’re feeling creative you can even make your own hedgehog homes for safe places to rest.  

Ensure these shelters are placed in quiet, secluded areas of your garden, away from human activity and potential threats. Providing multiple shelter options can significantly enhance the safety and comfort of your garden’s hedgehog visitors. 

The optimal time to provide a hedgehog house is during the early autumn months, ideally from late September to early October. This timing allows hedgehogs adequate opportunity to discover the shelter and prepare it for hibernation before the cold weather sets in. Placing a hedgehog house during this period ensures that they have a warm, protected space to ride out the winter months.  

Having the house set up in early autumn helps young hedgehogs, born late in the season, find a safe place to nest and gain the necessary weight for successful hibernation. While autumn is the best time, it's also beneficial to keep hedgehog houses available year round as they can provide vital refuge and resting spots throughout the different seasons. Regularly checking and maintaining these shelters will ensure they remain inviting and safe for your nocturnal visitors. 

Roads pose a significant threat to hedgehogs as they often fall victim to traffic due to their slow moving nature and nocturnal habits. To help mitigate this danger, create "hedgehog highways" which are just small gaps in fences or walls (around 13cm by 13cm) that allow hedgehogs to safely move between gardens. These pathways can dramatically reduce the need for hedgehogs to venture onto roads so they can safely find food. By collaborating with neighbours to establish a connected network of gardens, you can contribute to a safer environment and return some of their natural habitats to them.  

Maintaining a hedgehog friendly garden involves identifying and removing potential hazards that could harm these small mammals. Ensure that garden netting, which can entangle and injure hedgehogs, is kept at a height where they cannot access it, ideally above 30cm. Additionally, avoid using slug pellets and other harmful pesticides, as these substances can poison hedgehogs. Instead, opt for organic and hedgehog safe alternatives. By making your garden hedgehog friendly, they will offer their own pest eliminating service!  

Plastic litter and other small debris should be promptly removed, to prevent hedgehogs from ingesting or becoming trapped in them. Check your garden tools and store them safely, as sharp instruments can cause serious injuries. If you have a pond, ensure it has gently sloping sides or a ramp so that hedgehogs can easily climb out if they fall in. 

Cover any large holes or drains, as these can trap hedgehogs, and remove any potential shelter where bonfires may be planned to prevent accidents. Caring for a wild hedgehog is both a responsibility and a privilege. By creating a hedgehog friendly environment in your garden and knowing how to respond to hedgehogs in distress, you contribute significantly to their conservation. These charming creatures are best appreciated in their natural habitat, thriving in the wild where they belong. To get your garden hedgehog ready whether it’s for wild or domesticated hedgehogs, or for staples of smaller furry friends we do keep as pets, visit us in store and online.