British hedgehogs face increasing challenges to successful hibernation due to mild winters, food availability changes, and garden hazards that affect welfare throughout the year.
Hibernation welfare is determined by the preceding summer: hedgehogs that cannot accumulate sufficient fat reserves through successful foraging cannot hibernate safely. Late litters born in September and October face the hardest challenge — they must grow from birth to hibernation weight in weeks. Mild autumns that prevent entry into deep hibernation deplete reserves through continued metabolic activity. Garden management that provides access to food and shelter, and avoids autumn hazards, directly improves hibernation welfare outcomes.