BY ALLISON LEE
It never ceases to amaze me how many people have never seen a hedgehog, and, unfortunately, in today’s climate, this is only going to get more common as these much-loved little creatures are verging on extinction.
In British folklore, these beautiful creatures were often deemed wise and benevolent and associated with the countryside and good fortune. There are tales of hedgehogs predicting the changing of the seasons and being seen as protectors of the land.
Although instantly recognisable, hedgehogs are difficult to spot because they are nocturnal, meaning they are typically only active at night. They are also extremely shy creatures, spending most of their time hidden in shrubs, under sheds, and in piles of leaves out of sight. In fact, the ‘hedge’ part of their name comes from where they build their nests; in hedges, bushes and shrubs, with the ‘hog’ deriving from the snorting and grunting sounds they make, which are not dissimilar to pigs and warthogs.
For those of you who have never been fortunate enough to see a hedgehog in real life, allow me to describe one of the most beautiful creatures found in the English countryside. Hedgehogs are usually around 20-25 cms in length and weigh, on average, around 1.2 kg. They have very distinctive brown spines on their bodies, but their underbellies, limbs, and faces are free from these needles.
Hedgehogs are solitary creatures that come together to mate. Litters can be anywhere between three and seven in number, and the young will remain with their mothers for approximately six weeks before venturing alone. Although these tiny creatures can live up to seven years in the right environment, free from dangers, the average hedgehog will likely only reach a lifespan of two to three years.
Hedgehogs live in a variety of habitats across the UK, such as woodland, farmland, parks and even gardens. They like to make nests from fallen leaves and will do this in sheltered spots.
Hedgehogs spend a lot of their time asleep. Being nocturnal, they venture out in search of food during the hours of darkness, and they spend the winter months hibernating, so the chances of seeing them are quite slim, but it is certainly not impossible.
Living on a smallholding in rural North Yorkshire gives me some fantastic chances of seeing these wonderful creatures, and every time I spot one, I feel a rush of adrenaline as I know how lucky I am and how many people will never have this opportunity. Sadly, these little mammals are in serious decline. A major factor in this decline is the loss of suitable habitats such as hedgerows and woodlands, which are essential sources of food and shelter. The use of pesticides on farmland and gardens, fencing that does not allow the hedgehogs to roam freely and increasing development are all having a negative impact on the survival of these mammals.
Traffic and garden equipment also pose massive threats, with a huge percentage of hedgehogs killed or seriously hurt by cars and garden equipment such as strimmers each year.
The Hogilo
If you are lucky enough to come across one of these amazing little mammals, then it is imperative that you care for it responsibly. Hedgehogs are intolerant of milk, and therefore, milk should never be left out for them. I remember as a child being told to leave ‘pobs’ out in the garden for hedgehogs. Pobs were pieces of bread soaked in milk, and it upsets me greatly to this day thinking that our good intentions were, in fact, one of the worst things we could have done. Luckily, I am now much more educated and would never do this!
If you do have hedgehogs visiting your garden and you want to encourage them, the best food you can leave out is wet cat food, or better still, specially produced hedgehog food and a shallow dish of clean, fresh water.
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Post and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.