Often called the gardener’s best friend, hedgehogs are expert nocturnal foragers. They emerge at dusk to snuffle through long grass, flowerbeds, leaf litter, and vegetable patches in search of worms, beetles, slugs, and other invertebrates, making them natural pest controllers. Hedgehogs have a keen sense of smell and a remarkable ability to remember the location of abundant food sources.
Mostly active from April to October, they thrive in a variety of habitats, including woodland edges, farmland, parks, and suburban gardens, wherever shelter and food are plentiful. Solitary creatures for most of the year, they roam several kilometres each night in search of food and mates, coming together only during the breeding season in late spring and early summer.
A beautiful hedgehog- Surrey Hills Photography(Image: Jon Hawkins)
By this time of year, hedgehogs are busy feeding as much as possible to build up fat reserves before hibernation begins. As temperatures drop in November, they retreat to sheltered spots such as under sheds, log piles, or dense shrubs, creating a nest of leaves and twigs known as a hibernaculum. Inside, their heartbeat slows dramatically and their body temperature drops, allowing them to survive for months without food.
Sadly, the familiar hedgehog is now facing real challenges. Once a common sight in gardens across the UK, numbers have declined sharply over recent decades. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and busy roads have all taken their toll, leaving hedgehogs struggling to find safe places to feed and hibernate.
Fortunately, small actions at home can make a big difference. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust recommends leaving areas of long grass, creating safe corridors between gardens, and avoiding harmful chemicals all help provide the refuge hedgehogs need. Every connected green space can become part of a larger, life-saving network for this cherished species. With a bit of care and community effort, we can help ensure hedgehogs remain a welcome part of our gardens for generations to come.
Find out more about hedgehogs on the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust website: hiwwt.org.uk/wildlife-explorer/mammals/
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