Visit https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/about-our-hedgehog-street-campaign/ to learn more and map your sightings
See the The Big Hedgehog Map
Report your Sighting - https://bighedgehogmap.org/holes-for-hedgehogs-home/map-hedgehog-sighting
Purley Hedgehogs - if you see one and can take a photo, please share with info@purleysustainability.co.uk stating where you spotted them so we can build our own gallery and local map.
Where have all the hedgehogs gone? Alison Hallowell & Graham Tyler
Hedgehogs are one of our most distinctive and loved mammals. They have been in existence for over 15 million years, but they are in trouble with numbers in sharp decline over recent years. It is estimated that up to 75% of Britain’s rural hedgehogs have been lost in the last 20 years.
Everything you can do to help them will boost their numbers and contribute towards the survival of the species.
PSG are keen to help in creating a local environment where these lovely creatures can thrive.
Top 10 facts about hedgehogs
1. They can live up to 10 years but over half die within their first year.
2. They are night owls who don’t like the heat.
3. They can travel around a mile every night looking for food. They need gaps in fences and walls to allow them to travel freely
4. They will often travel the same route each night
5. They are sociable creatures
6. They are lactose intolerant
7. They are carnivores
8. They may need spectacles but make up for their bad eyesight with an excellent sense of smell and hearing.
9. They are speedy little things
10. If you see a hedgehog out during the day it is probably in trouble and you will need to contact a wildlife centre. The closest to Purley on Thames is Oxfordshire Wildlife Centre based in Blewbury. Their 24 hour Wildlife Helpline is 07549 322464. They also have lots of useful information about hedgehogs and other wildlife on their website www.oxfordshirewildliferescue.com
Do’s and Don’ts to encourage and protect hedgehogs in your garden
· Do leave some area of wilderness where they can find insects
· Do put out water for drinking
· Do put out a bowl of dog food or meaty cat food around dusk
· Do install a hedgehog house in a quiet part of the garden
· Do create a “hedgehog highway” in and out of your garden
· Don’t put out bread and milk
· Don’t pick up fit hedgehogs
· Don’t leave black sacks or netting lying around
· Don’t use slug pellets or other chemicals there are safer alternatives on the market
· Don’t fork over compost heaps or light a bonfire before checking for hedgehogs
· Don’t spray hedgehogs for fleas. Hedgehog fleas do not live on dogs, cats, humans or inside houses
Finally please be careful when you are cutting your grass, especially when using a strimmer. Hundreds of hedgehogs each year are killed or injured each year by these machines. Thank you.
We hope that this will help you to enjoy having these animals in your garden and to help with their survival.
GOOD LUCK from PSG – do check out www.purleysustainability.co.uk/projects/hedgehogs for further information and how you can report your hedgehog sightings.
https://hedgehogsrus.co.uk/f/hedgehog-myths-vs-facts-separating-fiction-from-reality
Hedgehogs are undoubtedly among the most beloved and iconic creatures of the UK animal kingdom. With their endearing appearance and unique behaviours, they've also captured the imaginations of people worldwide. However, like many animals, hedgehogs have their fair share of myths and misconceptions associated with them. In this article, we'll unravel some common hedgehog myths and present the facts, helping you better understand these spiky marvels.
Myth 1: Hedgehogs are related to porcupines.
Fact: While hedgehogs and porcupines may share a resemblance due to their spiky exteriors, they belong to entirely different families. Hedgehogs are more closely related to shrews and moles and are part of the family Erinaceidae. Porcupines, however, are actually part of the rodent family.
Myth 2: Hedgehogs are aggressive and dangerous.
Fact: Hedgehogs are generally docile creatures and are not known to be aggressive. When threatened, they prefer to roll into a ball, presenting their spiky quills as a defence mechanism. This behaviour is more of a defence mechanism than aggression. There is always the exception to rule so don’t rule out biting if you need to handle a sick one! They can also show aggressive streaks when fighting for food or competing for mates.
Myth 3: Hedgehogs can shoot their quills at predators.
Fact: Hedgehogs cannot shoot their quills. Quills are modified hairs made of keratin, the same material as our hair and nails. When a hedgehog rolls into a ball, its quills provide a protective barrier. They can be easily dislodged if touched, but they don't shoot out like projectiles.
Myth 4: Hedgehogs are rodents.
Fact: Hedgehogs are not rodents. They belong to the order Eulipotyphla, which also includes shrews and moles. Rodents, on the other hand, belong to the order Rodentia and include animals like mice, rats, and squirrels.
Myth 5: Hedgehogs can eat bread and milk.
Fact: While this image of hedgehogs enjoying a dish of bread and milk may be charming, it's not suitable for their diet. Hedgehogs are insectivores and need a diet rich in insects and invertebrates. Feeding them bread and milk can be very harmful, causing severe dehydration leading to death and must be avoided. If you want to support feed them, stick to Spikes Hedgehog Food, Brambles Hedgehog Food or kitten biscuits.
Myth 6: Hedgehogs are only active at night.
Fact: Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal, but they can also be active during dusk and dawn. Their nighttime activity is linked to their foraging habits, as they search for food when many of their prey species are active. Sometimes, large active hedgehogs may be seen during the day. These are busy, nesting mums! Any other Hedgehogs seen out during the day should be reported to your local hedgehog rescue for advice.
Myth 7: Hedgehogs can survive just fine in urban environments, so long as there are plenty of gardens.
Fact: While hedgehogs have adapted to urban environments, they face numerous threats such as traffic, habitat loss, pesticides, lack of nesting sites, and a lack of food and water. Creating hedgehog-friendly spaces and raising awareness about their needs is essential for their survival in urban areas. They CAN survive in urban environments, but we MUST help them.
Hedgehogs are remarkable creatures with a rich history of myths and legends. By dispelling these misconceptions and understanding the true nature of hedgehogs, we can better appreciate and contribute to their conservation. These spiky marvels deserve our respect and protection, and separating fact from fiction is a crucial step in achieving that goal.