Wildlife

Wild Hedgehog Urban Population Health

Urban hedgehog populations face unique health challenges including disease exposure and nutritional stress from human environments.

Key Facts

Urban hedgehogs show higher rates of lungworm and external parasites than rural populations
Supplementary feeding without water provision can cause nutritional imbalance
Garden chemicals and slug pellets cause poisoning through prey consumption
Urban hedgehogs adapt home range to garden availability but may have reduced foraging diversity

Welfare Considerations

Urban hedgehogs face a complex mix of novel welfare challenges from human environments. Some urban food sources provide welfare benefits while others cause harm. Informed garden management and appropriate supplementary food provision make gardens genuinely beneficial for hedgehog welfare.

What You Can Do

Provide appropriate food (meat-based cat food) and fresh water for garden hedgehogs
Avoid metaldehyde slug pellets and use wildlife-friendly alternatives
Connect gardens to support hedgehog territory requirements