Traditionally, spring is the time hedgehogs emerge from hibernation. This year, the weather has been so mild that many of them haven’t hibernated or have only done so for a short time. This means they need food and water, at a time when their natural food is limited. Hedgehogs naturally eat earthworms, beetles, bugs and caterpillars as their main diet. Snails and slugs only form a small supplementary part of their food.
If you want to support hedgehogs in your garden, please put out meaty cat food or dried cat biscuits and fresh water. Please don’t feed them mealworms or suet pellets as they are bad for them in large quantities and particularly damaging for growing hoglets.
Hedgehogs start to breed in the spring and mating hedgehogs can often be heard in gardens late at night. Hedgehog females are the sole carers of hoglets and often build nests under decking or sheds or in long grass. They can have between 1 and 9 hoglets, although 3-4 are common. Hoglets are born without spines, with their eyes and ears closed but within 2 – 3 months are starting to forage independently.
Please remember to check for hedgehogs before you start to mow or strim the lawn. They do not move and are easily missed. If you find an injured hedgehog, please phone us immediately.
Dates for the diary:
7th May 11am – 4pm: Start of Hedgehog Awareness week, Leaf and Ground garden centre, Dursley
10th July 10am – 4pm: Wild Hogs Big Summer Open Day, 2 The Small Barn, Walk Farm, Whitminster Ln, Frampton on Severn. Stalls, BBQ, Tour of the Centre.
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