The Latin word for hedgehogs is Erinaceus and our own British hedgehog is scientifically known as Erinaceus europaeus; it is the same species that occurs throughout most of the continent of Europe.  In Britain it is found almost everywhere except some of the Scottish Islands, but tends to be scarce or absent from wet areas and pine forests.  Uplands and mountainsides are not popular, probably because they lack both suitable food and suitable nesting places.  Hedgehogs are well established in our urban habitat and can, somewhat surprisingly, survive very well in our cities, making extremely good use of cemeteries, railway land, wasteland and both public and private gardens.  Shakespeare mentions hedgehogs in ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and he refers to ‘hedgepigs’ and ‘urchins’.

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Everyone is sure to know what a hedgehog looks like.  The hedgehog’s back and sides are covered in 25 mm (1”) long spines (which are really modified hairs).  These are absent from the face, chest, belly, throat and legs which are covered with a coarse, grey-brown fur.  There are approximately 5,000/7,000 spines on an average adult hedgehog.  What many people do not know is that a hedgehog has a small tail.

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At the risk of disappointing some people, it is worth mentioning the fact that hedgehogs tend to ‘do the rounds’ and visit several gardens within an area.  Ten or more different individuals may visit a garden over several nights, which could mean that ‘your hedgehog’ is in fact a number of different individuals visiting at different times.

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The best ways of assisting hedgehogs are by helping them avoid man-made hazards and providing them with suitable places to nest, especially in the winter.

Slug Pellets – these are poisonous and should not be used.  If absolutely necessary, pellets should be placed in a pipe or under a slate inaccessible to hedgehogs.  Dead slugs must be removed daily.  Use other garden pesticides sparingly;- or better still not at all, you never know what else they might kill or make sick.  Always try alternative methods – see BHPS leaflet on ‘Creating a Wildlife Garden’.

Garden ponds / Swimming pools – can be death traps to small mammals.  Always ensure that there are several gently sloping slipways around the edge of the water to enable animals to escape if they fall in.  Ensure the pool cover is on every night and that the polystyrene floats are placed near the side for a hedgehog to cling to.  Slipways may be made by half submerging bricks or rocks around the edges of ponds and pools.  Alternatively a piece of chicken wire can be hung over the edge like a scrambling net which hedgehogs can climb up to freedom.  Keep the pond level topped up so that hedgehogs can reach the wire.  Do remember hoglets will need a longer ramp than an adult hedgehog.