Wildlife

Creating Hedgehog-Friendly Gardens

Gardens can play a crucial role in hedgehog survival as countryside populations decline, and simple modifications make an enormous difference to hedgehog welfare.

Key Facts

Hedgehog numbers in UK countryside have declined by over 70% since 2000 but urban populations have stabilised
Gardens cover more land in Britain than all nature reserves combined
Hedgehog gaps of 13x13 cm allow movement between gardens for foraging
Pesticide use in gardens reduces invertebrate prey availability significantly
Bonfires, compost heaps, and garden netting are leading causes of hedgehog injury

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehogs trapped in isolated gardens cannot range sufficiently to find adequate food and mates. Those entangled in garden netting or injured by strimmers suffer significant trauma. Gardens managed with hedgehogs in mind provide feeding habitat, safe corridors, and reduced risk of accidental injury. Even modest changes such as cutting a single fence panel create access to hectares of additional foraging habitat.

What You Can Do

Create a 13x13cm gap in garden fences and boundary walls
Remove or secure garden netting at ground level when not in use
Leave areas of garden uncut with leaf litter for invertebrate prey
Check bonfires and compost heaps before disturbing them
Provide supplementary food such as meat-based cat food or hedgehog food in autumn