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Hedgehogs cover distances of several kilometres
during the night. So, if you are lucky enough to have hedgehogs in your garden,
not only will they not be exclusively 'yours', but they may not always be the
same hedgehogs every night. |
| However, if you have the right type of garden,
it is very likely that you will be visited by hedgehogs |
| The type of garden likely to attract hedgehogs
will have overgrown areas - voluminous shrubs, long grass, piles of leaves,
etc. Severe pruning, mowing and raking wipes out all the cosy nooks that
hedgehogs like. |
| You could also supplement your hedgehog's diet
by putting out a bowl of good quality cat or dog food (not fish). This will
only ever be supplemental: a hedgehog's natural diet consist of bugs and
beetles, caterpillars, earthworms, slugs and snails, etc. They will continue to
forage for themselves whilst you put out food for them - there is no need to
worry that they will starve if you go on holiday. |
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| In addition to this, what hedgehogs would really
appreciate during the summer is a shallow dish of water. The past few summers
have been extremely hot, creating drought conditions and - although the effect
of this on hedgehogs may not be noticeable during the summer - come October,
the extent of the damage can be appreciated. Those hedgehogs that were unable
to find enough food during the summer will succomb to parasites and disease.
Furthermore, if hedgehogs are underweight when they go into hibernation, they
will not wake up again. |
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| Never give a hedgehog
cow's milk. |
| Hedgehogs cannot cope with cow's milk: it gives
them extremely bad stomach upsets and - particularly in the case of young
hedgehogs, or those that are already sick anyway - it can kill them. So please,
put out clean water, but never milk. |
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| Other foods that hedgehogs seem
to like (so we are told) include chopped peanuts or peanut butter, sultanas,
raisins, chopped meat leftovers, and mealworms. Altogether though, it is
cheaper - and just as effective - to put a bowl of cat or dog food out for your
hedgehogs. |
| If you wish to have hedgehogs in your garden,
please also take a look at the 'Garden Hazards' page to ensure that your garden
is safe for hedgehogs. |
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