Marc the vet
The Paul O’Grady Show’s Marc Abraham raises concerns over hedgehogs and offers care advice
Hedgehogs are often described as the ‘gardener’s friend’ as not only are they fascinating to watch but they are also brilliant at helping gardeners keep pest species such as slugs under control in their own natural way.
In Sussex, one hedgehog recently even crossed the species barrier to make friends with a much-loved pet, when it was reported that a hedgehog and a pet tortoise had set up home together in someone’s greenhouse! While this story tends to conjure up a lovely image, it also serves as stark a reminder of how our native species are adapting their lives to exploit the urban sprawl which has now severed them from their own wider habitats.
“Hedgehogs have recently been added as a priority species due to their declining numbers”
Hedgehogs hibernate in the winter to reduce the amount of energy used in the months when food becomes scarce as, unlike some birds, they are unable to migrate to warmer places with more abundant energy sources. Hibernation is often confused with deep sleep,however it is a complex change in the hedgehog’s metabolism when the heartbeat will drop to less than 20 beats per minute and breathing can occur only every few minutes.
But they don’t sleep for the entire winter, waking on average every 7–11 days. Recent research has suggested that mammals are so vulnerable to parasites during hibernation that they actually wake up periodically to boost their immune systems.
Sadly, within recent years spring flooding has been attributed to the decline in hedgehog numbers and the milder winters have seen many more ‘autumn orphans’. These are hedgehogs born late in the year that have not had sufficient time to build up their fat reserves. Hibernation is not easy for these late litters and if the young have not reached the critical weight of 1lb or 450 grams they are unable to survive the winter and will need our help.
With all the perils hedgehogs face (did you remember to check your bonfires too?) it is no wonder they have recently been added to the UK BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) as a priority species due to their rapidly declining numbers. Therefore we need to do all we can to create an environment suitable for our prickly friends – this includes having wild plants that attract their slug and snail food source and leaving alone leaf piles in the autumn in undisturbed areas of shrubbery allowing them to build their winter nests. You could even consider buying a purpose-built hedgehog box from your local garden centre.
So if think you have spotted an ‘autumn orphan’ or if you’d like to know more about how to make your garden safe for hedgehogs, then call Sussex Wildlife Trust on 01273 494777, or visit www.sussexwt.org.uk.
Thanks to Sussex Wildlife Trust for helping me compile this column.
Image: Hugh Clark/Sussex Wildlife Trust
