UK Native Species Spotlight #2 The European Hedgehog

The European Hedgehog is a wonderful species inhabiting the gardens of the UK yet sadly they are in sharp decline and will soon disappear.

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General Information

Scientific Name: Erinaceus europaeus
Common Name: European Hedgehog

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From the Erinaceidae family this small omnivore species lives up to 6 years in the wild and grows to 30cm long and can weigh up to 1000g. Living within woodland and farmland they also inhabit suburban areas and are found throughout mainland Europe, Asia and Africa. There are 15 different species of the Hedgehog in the world all with similar characteristics however, the UK only has one native species of Hedgehog, that being the European. These cute Hogs have approximately 5000 to 7000 1 inch spines covering parts of their body that are absent from the face, chest, belly, throat and legs which is covered in coarse, grey brown fur. The spines are not poisonous or barbed but are thick hollow hairs which defend the animal when it rolls into a tight ball. Each quill can last about a year until it drops out and is replaced, they can also raise and lower the quills in response to threatening situations. What most do not know is that a hedgehog also has a small tail!

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Behaviour

As a strictly nocturnal species they have the capabilities of travelling up to 2 miles per night foraging for food. In the autumn, every Hedgehog needs to build up sufficient fat reserves that allows them to hibernate safely through winter. The absolute minimum weight they can survive is 450g, ideally the Hog will be around 600-800g. They usually hibernate from November to March/April however this can depend on their age, weight and the weather which can wake them several times.

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Known as the “Gardner’s Friend” they feed on a variety of garden insects such as beetles, caterpillars, earthworms, snails and slugs. On the hunt, they rely on their hearing and smell as their eyesight is not very good but they can see well in the dark.

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Declining Species

In the 1950s, it was estimated there were 36.5 million hedgehogs in Britain however today there are less than 1 million left with a third of the loss occurring in the last decade. The decline is not fully understood, but main factors include habitat loss due to farming and construction as well as road collisions. The huge fragmentation of their habitat is causing hedgehogs to roam further to find food and mates causing them to cross busy main roads.

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What can you do to help

As mentioned, they are strictly nocturnal which means you should never see them in the daytime, this means that they are unwell and disorientated. What you should do is put something over the Hedgehog to cover it, pick it up carefully like a football, place it in a box with water and then take it to the vet. A vet WILL NOT charge you for a wild species but they do require you to call ahead to inform them you are bringing a Hog in. They will look at him/her and if all is ok they will return them to you and ask you to put him back where you found him when its dark. If the Hog is unwell they will either rehabilitate themselves or send him/her onto a rescue centre they may then ask if you are willing to donate which you do not need to.

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From personal experience, do not bring a wild hedgehog into your home. They are covered in fleas which differ to those found on Cats and Dogs, they are near on impossible to get rid of! They live outside and are native to our climate so as long as you keep them safe until you can take them to the vet they will be fine.

How do I get them in my garden?

The problem hedgehogs are facing is that we are building our homes and gardens in their territory and not giving them to opportunity to forage for food or find a mate. All you need to do is put a 20cm hole in your perimeter fence and leave food out for them daily, yes you will feed a whole range of local wildlife but eventually Mr Hog will move in when he finds you. Also, do not use pesticides if you are trying to encourage them as that will inevitably kill them.
If you have hogs in your garden you are so lucky and you should encourage them! If you want to feed them DO NOT EVER GIVE THEM MILK OR BREAD They are lactose intolerant and this is severely detrimental to their health. A simple flat dish of water and chicken flavoured cat food/biscuits or even cooked chicken will be enough – no fishy flavours.

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Will my cat or dog kill them?

Yes, to cats and dogs they are an easy target so it is best to keep them away should you be feeding hogs in your garden. It has been seen on various camera traps with cats feeding with hedgehogs but if you’re not sure don’t take the risk

Amazing Facts

• There can be up to 500 fleas on a Hedgehog known as a Archaepsylla erinacei that rarely bites humans
• When highly stimulated by a strong smell or taste they self-anoint meaning they cover their quills in foamy saliva. It is not known why they do this.
• Young Hoglets are born in litters ranging from one to eleven, they stay with their mothers up to 7 weeks before they are ready to live wild alone.

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• During Hibernation, they can lower their heartbeat from 190BPM down to 20BPM, this results in very little energy expenditure and slower weight loss.

Final thoughts

Hedgehogs are an amazing little species that live here in the UK, I for one have not seen a live one for at least 10 years now which is a true testament to their plight. Although I do have a 20cm hole in my garden we have yet to have a Hog turn up. If you are lucky to have Hogs in your garden then please feed them with the advice above they need all they help they can get. If you find one please also take it to the vet and give it a chance to at least survive.

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Without our help we will lose them forever