Wildlife

Welfare of Wild Hedgehogs in Gardens

European hedgehogs find vital food and shelter in gardens; garden practices significantly influence their welfare and support their conservation in agricultural landscapes.

Key Facts

Garden hedgehogs travel up to 2 miles per night in search of food
Solid garden walls trap hedgehogs who cannot escape when flooded or threatened
Garden bonfires and leaf piles are prime hedgehog hibernation sites
Pesticide use reduces invertebrate food sources hedgehogs depend on
A hedgehog-friendly garden can support multiple individuals through the season

Welfare Considerations

Garden hedgehog welfare is substantially within individual control. A few simple garden modifications — fence gaps, bonfire checks, pesticide-free pest management — make gardens genuinely safe refugia for one of Britain's most rapidly declining mammals.

What You Can Do

Create 13cm x 13cm gaps in garden fences for hedgehog movement
Check bonfires and leaf piles before burning or disturbing them
Provide a hedgehog house for winter hibernation shelter
Stop using pesticides to maintain the invertebrate food base hedgehogs need