Supporting Hedgehogs in Your Garden

Hedgehog populations have declined by over 50% in the UK since the 1950s, but gardens can provide vital habitat and foraging opportunities for this declining mammal.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog numbers have fallen from an estimated 30 million in 1950 to under 1 million today
Hedgehogs travel up to 2 km per night foraging for invertebrates
Garden fencing without gaps prevents movement between territories
Slug pellets containing metaldehyde are toxic to hedgehogs
Hedgehogs benefit significantly from supplementary feeding of wet cat or dog food

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehogs face a combination of threats that interact to reduce population viability: habitat fragmentation from fencing and walls prevents the large foraging ranges they need; pesticide use reduces invertebrate prey availability; road mortality is significant; and garden hazards including ponds without escape routes, strimmers, and bonfires cause direct mortality. Individual gardens can make meaningful contributions to hedgehog welfare by creating access gaps, removing hazards, and providing food and water.

What You Can Do

Create a 13 cm gap in garden fences to allow hedgehog movement
Provide a shallow dish of water and wet cat food especially in dry summers
Check compost heaps and bonfires before disturbing to avoid injuring hedgehogs
Avoid using slug pellets or pesticides that reduce invertebrate food sources
Join the British Hedgehog Preservation Society to learn about monitoring and reporting hedgehogs