Distribution and FACTS about hedgehogs

The State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2018 found that hedgehogs continue to face pressures in the rural landscape and from urban development, but monitoring numbers, and actions such as Hedgehog Street by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and public efforts to improve garden habitats and connectivity, might be giving them a chance.

 Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC) has scattered hedgehog records for most 1km squares in Devon, and they are expected to have a widespread distribution. Overall, hedgehogs are thought to be under-recorded in the county. Records are concentrated in suburban areas, which perhaps reflects to some extent the higher number of active recorders in conurbations. However it is speculated that hedgehogs have higher survival prospects in suburban areas, where there are fewer badgers, which are the hedgehog’s only significant natural predator. Correspondingly it may be that hedgehogs live at a lower population density in agricultural areas where habitat is more fragmented and where there are higher badger populations. There are few records from upland moors such as Dartmoor and the pebble bed heathlands of east Devon, habitats which are regarded as unsuitable for hedgehogs.

Therefore gardens in suburban places are thought to be especially important for increasing hedgehog populations in Devon.

Key Facts about hedgehogs:

·       They are nocturnal

·       They are lactose intolerant

·       Their spines are modified hollow hairs made stiff with keratin

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TAKE ACTION FOR hedgehogs

find out more information at the People's Trust for Endangered Species website here:

Log Piles

One of the best features for a plethora of wildlife,especially the hedgehogs. These provide a safe, secure site for breeding or hibernating. They are also insect factories, providing a year round food supply for hedgehogs.

Collect any old dead wood from your garden or ask the local park or wildlife reserve for permission to take some from their supply and pile it up in a quiet undisturbed corner of your garden. The bigger you can make it the better. As the wood rots down, replenish the logs from time to time.

Compost heaps

Compost heaps can make an attractive nesting site for a hedgehog. Open air composting is also great for creepy crawlies (AKA hedgehog food). Remember to be careful when turning them with your fork.

Leaf piles

Not only can leaf piles be used as a potential nesting site but they can also be used for bedding material for any other nest sites or hedgehog boxes in the surrounding area. Please be careful when tidying leaf piles as there may be a hog in residence!

Ponds

Under appreciated as a hedgehog-friendly feature, every garden should have one. Hedgehogs will benefit from having a year-round water supply, and they with thrive on the added insects and amphibians that it will attract. Hedgehogs are excellent swimmers, just make sure there is a gently sloping edge for them to escape from (you could use stones, or chicken wire) and then they won’t drown. (Create a Wildlife Pond)

Hedgehog homes

Whilst semi-natural features such as those listed above are much better nesting options for hedgehogs, they can and do use specially made hedgehog houses or ‘hibernacula’.

Hedgehog Highway

Make gaps in your fences. No single garden is large enough for a hedgehog population, and no single garden can offer everything they need. Think of your garden as part of a local network. Talk to your neighbours and ask if they can join you in making your gardens hedgehog friendly.

SURVEY

Map your sightings oh hedgehogs on the Big Hedgehog Map here.

Become a Hedgehog Champion

Can you inspire your neighbours, street or neighbourhood to do something for wildlife?  Could you encourage your wider community to think about how accessible your local area is to hedgehogs and start to connect gardens and local greenspaces and corridors? Sign up on the Hedgehog Street website for free downloadable resources HERE

Other interesting pages:

Miss Butcher from The Beacon C of E school has some great footage of hedgehogs in her garden.

 For inspiration on how your community can get involved in making space Hedgehogs , visit the Landkey Hedgehog Facebook Group Landkey Hedgehog Group | Facebook