Hedgehogs are beginning their winter hibernation, and BBC Gardeners' World is encouraging UK gardeners to create simple habitats to give them a safe place to shelter until March or April.
As cold November nights arrive, hedgehogs are settling into their hibernation season, which lasts throughout winter before they emerge again in March or April, depending on the weather and local temperatures.
How Hedgehogs Survive Hibernation
During hibernation, hedgehogs enter torpor, a deep, energy-saving state in which bodily functions slow dramatically. Their normal body temperature plummets from 35°C to 10°C or below, their heart rate drops from around 190 beats per minute to roughly 20 beats per minute, and breathing reduces to approximately once every few minutes.
Their slumber is not uninterrupted – hedgehogs regularly rouse themselves for brief periods or relocate to different nesting spots, particularly during milder spells, reports the Express.
Building a Habitat Pile
To help hedgehogs find a safe and snug refuge in your garden, Gardeners' World recommends building habitat piles using logs, twigs, and other garden debris. The advice is to scout around your outdoor space for a quiet, tucked-away corner that rarely sees any movement, and use that spot to construct a simple habitat for local wildlife.
The magazine outlines three principal methods for constructing homes for various species, hedgehogs included. The first involves stacking logs together, providing shelter for both insects and mammals. Partially burying the logs assists certain types of wildlife that feed on decaying wood, while you should "ensure there are nooks and crannies for insects and mammals, and fill any gaps with dry leaves."
More Ambitious Projects
For a more ambitious undertaking, "start by erecting four wooden posts in a rectangle, then fill the space with pieces of wood, such as logs and twigs." Larger pieces – such as logs – should be positioned at the base, with twigs and clippings layered on top.
Finally, the most detailed project is constructing wooden fences – or purchasing them ready-made. The magazine advises against treating the wood with any preservative, allowing it to gradually rot and create a variety of distinct habitats for local wildlife.
