Hedgehogs are getting ready to hibernate at this time of year, and you could make sure they’re ready for winter by placing one item in your garden that will keep them coming back
Hedgehogs are adorable animals, but they can be quite elusive, and unless you live in a rural area, it could sometimes be quite rare to see one in your garden. Hedgehog populations are also declining significantly due to habitat loss and urban development, with the Western European hedgehog classed as “Near Threatened”, and the British hedgehog on the UK’s red list of mammals deemed as “Vulnerable”.
We can all do more to help hedgehogs by providing them with a safe place in our gardens where they can find food. Hedgehogs hibernate over the winter, so in November, they’ll be gathering up food supplies and finding somewhere safe to settle down as the harsh winter weather sets in.
One of the best things you can do to help hedgehogs is place food for them in your garden. However, according to an expert on social media, you should place one item outside before considering scattering food across your lawn.
Nik Mitchell shared a video on TikTok showing how to create a “hedgehog haven” in just a few minutes, providing a safe space for small mammals to eat without risk of predators.
To make the haven, all you need is a plastic storage box. Nik cut a 5-inch hole at one end of the box for the hedgehogs to enter, and glued a small block of wood in the middle. The wood helps prevent foxes and cats from squeezing their bodies through the hole and getting at the hedgehogs or the food, while still allowing the small mammals to enter and exit safely.
Nik also explained that putting hedgehog food in a box like this is better than sprinkling it around your garden in the open, as this can attract unwanted pests.
When it comes to feeding hedgehogs, the easiest thing to do is buy a specific hedgehog feed that will contain all the nutrients they need. This is because, in the wild, hedgehogs primarily live on insects such as beetles, earwigs, caterpillars, and worms, which aren’t easy to gather and put inside a feeding box.
If you have a pet at home already, then meat-based cat or dog food can be a great alternative food source for hedgehogs that will save you cash on having to buy specific food for them.
While hedgehogs will be building up fat reserves before their winter hibernation this month, you can also continue to feed hedgehogs throughout the winter months. Hedgehog hibernation isn’t constant, and they will periodically wake up to search for food before going back to sleep.
Nik explained in his video: “While hedgehogs can forage for food on their own, supplementary feeding is crucial, particularly during times when their natural food sources are dwindling.”
Alongside the food, it’s important to also leave a small bowl of water so you can help keep the small mammals hydrated. Do not leave out milk for hedgehogs, as they are lactose intolerant and milk can make them ill.
Tips for feeding hedgehogs
The Wildlife Trust has some helpful advice for feeding hedgehogs.
They said: “Creating wild spaces where hedgehogs can forage for natural foods like grubs and insects is the best way to ensure they’re well fed. But putting out a bit of food during winter allows them to top up any low stocks and gives them a helping hand through the cold and harsh weather. Put out fresh food at dusk and don’t forget a dish of fresh water!”
The experts also advise the following:
- Use plain kitten biscuits or meat-based wet dog or cat food. You can also use specialist hedgehog food, but keep in mind that this isn’t regulated and can vary in quality, so always check the label.
- If you have a problem with cats eating the food, try placing the food under a shelter with a hedgehog-sized gap in it.
- If food isn’t eaten overnight, remove anything that will go off and replace it with fresh offerings in the evening. Research suggests that unpredictable supplementary feeding is beneficial, e.g. moving the feeding spots around and scattering food in a more natural way. This will also reduce risk of competition for food.
- Avoid any interaction between dogs and hedgehogs. Sadly, dog bites frequently cause injury or death to hedgehogs.
