The shocking truth...

digannio · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 05:00 PM

Guess it's no surprise but oh so sad.....

Hedgehog decline: 300,000 fewer in Britain than a decade ago | Mail Online

It really is time that there was an urgent, nationwide, concerted, all-out effort to do something before it's too late. I know there is a dedicated band doing their bit and trying to get others to join in but this is so alarming that this needs to take off in a big way. It's awful to see this dreadful decline.

Deb London · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 05:15 PM

Yes, it is very sad.

How does a hedgehog crossing work? Was this just a publicity stunt?

Gatekeeper · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 05:36 PM

In my area, hedgehog road casualties used to be seen on a daily basis, but I haven't seen one for years; an ironic indication of their decline. I really miss them coming into the garden to look for slugs, and the habitat is ideal. Do any hedgehog charities look for people willing to have rehabilitated hedgehogs released in their gardens?

digannio · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 05:57 PM

One of the problems is that people often have fencing like Fort Knox so there is no access to their gardens... and they can't fly in! Also, there are too many carefully manicured gardens without the right areas for hogs to live in and hibernate in. And then there's the strimmers, slug pellets and weed killer... it's a wonder any of them survive!

I put a hog house under a bush, out of the wind and the nightly visitor into my garden moved in within four days. He's now in hibernation in the house. All it took was a nightly dish of water with some food and a little wooden house with some straw. We can all do our bit for the hogs.

Tagcat · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 08:14 PM

What sort of conditions are needed for hedgehogs to live in my garden. We don't tame the garden to often so there are plenty of slugs for the hogs to eat.
Id love to make my garden more accessible to the lovely critters, but im not sure what they need.

CharlieCreek · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 08:33 PM

Hi TagCat,

The best thing you can do is leave a wild patch in the garden and to have things like a little log pile and a compost heap. These the hedgehogs can nest under and they will also find the insects they like to eat there.

Slugs are actually quite bad for hedgehogs and a last resort for them contrary to popular belief, but the log pile slowly rotting down and the compost heap and 'overgrown' area will provide them with lots of insect life to choose from.

You can also leave water and food out for them (in the winter hard type kitten / cat / dog biscuits are the best. To keep cats away from this just get something like a plastic storage box, turn it upside down and cut a hole in one of the sides as an entrance (make sure the sides aren't sharp) and this will make a hedgehog friendly feeding station.

Farplace · #7 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 08:34 PM

They need lots of undergrowth, perhaps a log-pile or two, and a good food source. In the wild they eat beetles, worms, snails etc, but will also take meat flavoured cat or dog food (dont feed fish to them), chopped peanuts, bananas and other fruit, dried fruit like sultanas, mealworms, suet.... the list goes on and on...
Don't feed them bread-and-milk! Not good for them at all, in spite of popular opinion!
Get the environment right, and feed them when they come to visit, and they will probably stay around.
Most importantly, don't use poisons (such as slug pellets) on your garden. Check any bonfires for hedgehogs (and other wildlife) before you burn it. And don't, don't, don't use a strimmer.

Farplace · #8 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatekeeper

In my area, hedgehog road casualties used to be seen on a daily basis, but I haven't seen one for years; an ironic indication of their decline. I really miss them coming into the garden to look for slugs, and the habitat is ideal. Do any hedgehog charities look for people willing to have rehabilitated hedgehogs released in their gardens?

Yes, many hedgehog rescue centres look out for people to care for their rehabbed hedgehogs. There is a particular need for carers to look after disabled hogs in secure gardens.

Hedgehoggy · #9 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatekeeper

Do any hedgehog charities look for people willing to have rehabilitated hedgehogs released in their gardens?

Yes, all the time! But you would need to live in a hedgehog-friendly area, i.e. already have hedgehogs in the vicinity otherwise if your area is absent of hedgehogs there will be a good reason for this, either from what Digannio has already cited, or badgers in the area. Contact your nearest wildlife hospital for further advice.

EDIT: my post crossed with Farplace's!

Hedgehoggy · #10 (**permalink**) 10-11-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tagcat

What sort of conditions are needed for hedgehogs to live in my garden. We don't tame the garden to often so there are plenty of slugs for the hogs to eat.
Id love to make my garden more accessible to the lovely critters, but im not sure what they need.

If you already have hedgehogs in your area, then click here for more info from the BHPS, in addition to Charlie's and Farplace's suggestions