It seems incredible, but studies show that hedgehogs, included in 2020 on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable to extinction in Great Britain, are better off in cities, where their population has slowly started to grow, then in the countryside, where sadly their number is still declining. This shows us that the programs that have been created in universities and in local communities for their protection are contributing to the solution of the problem and that therefore human activity, which has put at risk this species, may also virtuously help to reverse the trend. And we are not talking about major structural changes in the city but small measures that every citizen can put into practice in their own garden or in the nearest park.
To thrive, hedgehogs first of all need constant access to food sources, mainly small insects in their case. And you do not have to go around the countryside with your net to collect as many bugs as possible and then spoon-feed them as soon as you can see a single hedgehog, don’t worry! You will simply attract the insects to specific areas of your garden, leaving leaf piles, a compost heap or a simple log pile. This way, insects can feed on this, to turn, later, into the dinner for any passing hedgehogs. Be careful though that some hedgehogs may want to eat in bed and create their nest there, a few steps from the buffet: so, if you want to move the leaves with a fork, check the situation first, to avoid pulling out a hedgehog on a spit! To provide them with a diet as varied as possible, it would be better to promote biodiversity by letting the grass grow out of control in a corner of your garden, or sow the seeds of wildflowers, a mix without grass seed, making sure to choose one that’s suitable for the type of soil. And avoid chemical fertilizers at all costs!
It would be suitable, where possible, to provide a source of water available throughout the year, such as a pond or a body of water, ensuring that hedgehogs can easily enter and exit the water, for example by creating a gentle sloping edge made with stones.
Remember, though: hedgehogs, though small, travel long distances even in one night (a male looking for a mate can travel three kilometres) so leave in your fence a small opening through which they can enter and exit, or maybe let a friend in... If you want to help a mother take care of the little ones you can build a house for them, similar to that which sometimes you see around – you can find a lot of projects on the internet - but it is not necessary, and probably Mom would much prefer to have the buffet at her fingertips! In the end, the steps to take are few and within everyone’s reach. And if you think about it, do yourself a favour: there is no need to cut the grass this weekend! Promote biodiversity, help the hedgehogs, and finish the series you were watching on Netflix...
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