IN our second wildlife column ANIMAL MAGIC, Natalie Gould of the Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre, near Evesham provides some expert advice on how to care for British hedgehogs.
These wonderful creatures were officially classed as vulnerable to extinction in 2020, but there are many things people can do to help them thrive as we approach winter.
By Natalie Gould
There’s no better time of year to talk about hedgehogs…
We are about to enter the most difficult time of year for the nation’s favourite mammal, although British summers are becoming more and more difficult for all wildlife too.
Hedgehogs can have two litters each year, the first in June/July and the second from August to as late as October. These late hoglets, known as autumn juveniles, are most commonly seen in rescue centres as they’ve struggled to gain the necessary weight required to survive the winter.
First hoglet of 2025 at Vale Wildlife hospital. s
Many of the young hedgehogs that come into Vale Wildlife Hospital during autumn and winter will be with us until spring. So it’s easy to see why we quickly run out of cages, often having between 250 and 400 hedgehogs in at any one time.
Did you know that not all hedgehogs hibernate? And those that do, don’t hibernate like they used to and will often dip in and out of hibernation as the temperature changes.
Our winters are now so mild that some hedgehogs won’t hibernate at all, and this is why putting out fresh food and a water source is so important.
Hedgehog patient at Vale Wildlife Hospital. s
Winter is a really difficult time for these iconic creatures as they struggle to find natural food sources when the ground is so hard, so a helping hand goes a long way.
A shallow bowl of fresh water, some meaty dog or cat food and a handful of Vale’s Hedgehog Food (available on Amazon or directly from the hospital in Beckford) is the perfect offering to help our spiny friends over the cold months.
If you’re concerned about other animals getting to the food, consider buying or making a feeding station.
You might consider buying or making a hedgehog house – we have some great ones available at the hospital in Beckford.
Here is a fantastic video on YouTube by Get Wild’s Nik Mitchell, which demonstrates a low-cost way of making one.
If you want to encourage hedgehogs into your garden, ensure they have safe access in and out. We recommend cutting a 13cm hole (about the size of a CD) in the bottom of your fence and creating a small area ‘wild’ garden that has been left untouched.
Hedgehogs are constantly facing increasing threats, so it’s important to provide a safe area for them to hide away and feel more comfortable.
Remember, hedgehogs are nocturnal, so you shouldn’t be seeing them out in the day.
And finally, don’t forget to check those bonfires before lighting. We see casualties too often at this time of year which could so be easily prevented.
If you are concerned about a hedgehog or would like more advice, call us on 01386 882288.
A hedgehog costs £5 a week to care for at the Vale Wildlife Hospital to feed per week.
Visit https://www.valewildlife.org.uk/hedgehogs/ to donate or find out more about the hospital’s work with these special creatures.
