UK hedgehogs are officially listed as vulnerable to extinction on the Red List, and garden fences and walls are among the biggest threats because they block the animals' access to food, shelter and mates. This month, Brits are being urged to make small changes to their gardens to help hedgehogs survive the winter.
Why hedgehogs need help now
September and October were especially critical months for hedgehogs, as they searched for food to build essential fat reserves before winter hibernation. That need for safe access to food and shelter is even more urgent given the species' vulnerable status.
Experts have cautioned that one of the greatest dangers facing hedgehogs is surprisingly close to home: our gardens. Once capable of roaming freely at night across neighbourhoods searching for food, shelter and mates, hedgehogs are progressively finding their paths obstructed by fences, walls and enclosed outdoor areas.
Creating Hedgehog Highways
This habitat fragmentation leaves hedgehogs isolated from the resources they require to survive and compels them to undertake longer and more perilous journeys, frequently crossing busy roads, reports the Express.
Dino Decking, working alongside hedgehog rescue expert Julia Sixsmith, founder of Hindley Hedgehog Help, highlighted the significance of Hedgehog Highways - the small openings in fences which enable hedgehogs to move safely between gardens and reach the food, shelter and mates they need to survive.
Making small holes between gardens is one of the most practical ways to support hedgehogs. These can be created using a drill or saw in your fence, allowing these remarkable little creatures to move more freely across the UK.
Other steps to support hedgehogs
Leaving out fresh water is vital for keeping hedgehogs hydrated. A shallow dish of clean water can prove an invaluable resource, especially during warmer spells.
Cutting back on pesticide use can make a real difference to this vulnerable population. Pesticides can deplete the insects and invertebrates that hedgehogs rely upon for sustenance.
Log piles, leaf piles and purpose-built hedgehog houses can offer safe spots to rest and hibernate, encouraging them to take up residence in your back garden. Allowing certain areas to grow wild creates a habitat for insects and other wildlife, while also giving hedgehogs a greater opportunity to forage.
If you have a pond, ensure you incorporate a gentle slope or escape route to stop wildlife from becoming trapped. Finally, always check before strimming or mowing. Thoroughly inspect long grass, hedges and overgrown patches before operating any garden machinery.
Low awareness of Hedgehog Highways
The campaign follows research revealing that awareness of Hedgehog Highways remains surprisingly low, with 41% of Brits admitting they had never previously heard of them.
Fay Vass, Chief Executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, said: "Sadly, hedgehogs are a species on the edge of real trouble, but making Hedgehog Highways a part of your garden is a simple action which can have a huge impact for these amazing spiny mammals."
"Hedgehogs can roam surprisingly long distances, but they can't climb over fences or dig beneath solid walls, so Hedgehog Highway gaps at the base of walls and fences are vital to ensure they can reach the habitat and resources they need to thrive in the wild."
