Don't Forget Our Little Wild Hedgehogs
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Here
we will take a closer look on how to help our own wild hogs and
also see some of the great colours that these hogs can come in. If you
thought they just come in brown your were mistaken.
In the U.K
we are lucky to have our own wild hedgehogs right outside our
front door. These wonderful creatures have been named “a gardeners best
friend” as they eat huge amounts of slugs and other crawlies that
eat our favourite plants, vegetables and flowers. Sadly
though when gardeners use slug pellets and other pesticides the
poor unsuspecting hedgehog eats the bugs that have been poisoned
and can suffer some serious side effects and can sadly
result in death. Another one of the poor Uk hogs problems is the roads.
I think most people are more likely to see one on the side of the road
than eating slugs in their garden.
Hedgehogs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act in Britain, and may not be trapped without a licence. Recent reports have suggested there have been about 50% drop in numbers since in the 90’s and at this rate our own little UK hog will be gone from the UK by 2025.
Could our hedgehog go the same way as other less fortunate British wild life due to no fault of there their own get pushed out or simply just over looked and left to die in all the hidden traps we unconsciously leave out for them.
This is where you can play a huge part in their future survival of wild hedgehogs . I have included some tips and suggestions on how to keep one of our friendliest garden visitors going strong in years to come.
Hedgehogs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act in Britain, and may not be trapped without a licence. Recent reports have suggested there have been about 50% drop in numbers since in the 90’s and at this rate our own little UK hog will be gone from the UK by 2025.
Could our hedgehog go the same way as other less fortunate British wild life due to no fault of there their own get pushed out or simply just over looked and left to die in all the hidden traps we unconsciously leave out for them.
This is where you can play a huge part in their future survival of wild hedgehogs . I have included some tips and suggestions on how to keep one of our friendliest garden visitors going strong in years to come.
- Sponsor or adopted an injured hedgehog. Plenty of
Hedgehog Hospitals offer this service. I have included some links
at the bottom of the page. But do a quick web search and fine one
closer to you.
- I know it’s the time of make overs and endless DIY. But try not to make your gardens too tidy. Let one of the corners become over grown, leave a pile of leaves or make a compost heap. This will encourage all the nice creepy crawlies that Hogs love to eat. If you are very keen, you can even make them their own luxury hedgehog home. Just a sturdy box (not cardboard!), about 15ins x 15ins by about 12ins high with an entrance hall of about 6in wide x 6ins high x around 12 - 15ins long should do it. Waterproof the main box, make ventilation holes and put in leaf litter, etc, for bedding. If this sounds like a lot of work, you can buy hedgehog nest boxes. In either case, put the box under logs and other natural material to camouflage it. Whatever you choose to do, don't disturb them otherwise the mother might abandon her young. Also as you can imagine the garden offers quite a few hazards. If you have a garden pound add a little ramp so if any hogs fall in they can climb out easily. Cut down or better still stop using any pesticides.
- If you see any rubbish pick it up and place it in a bin. Sadly too many animals get trapped in plastic bags and suffocate or choke on other small objects.
- Leave some nice tasty cat food out and water for your little spiky visitor. Never leave out milk and bread. Hedgehogs do have problems digesting this. Although the hedgehog will eat it, the swelling of bread in the stomach and the fact that cows milk gives hedgehogs diarrhoea, means that it is not the best thing to give a hungry hedgehog. Many hedgehogs die of malnutrition caused by this wrong diet.
- Try not to interfere too much with wild hedgehogs. If you find a hog on your travels please don’t be tempted to pick it up and take it home for your garden. The chances are it will be female and have a nest of hungry babies at home waiting for their mum to come back. It is best to leave a hog well alone unless you think it is having some signs of distress. Out in the day time, injured, wrapped in some netting or string.
- If you do come across an injured or distressed hedgehog contact a hedgehog rescue, links are at the bottom of this page. You could try and do a web search and find the one most close to you and add it to your favourites or book mark it for future reference. It is always good to have these links handy.
So go on make a
little time and maybe give a little money to this wonderful
native hog. You know Bramble Would......
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click above for bigger image