How to help hedgehogs

This is the time of year when hedgehogs start to appear again, after their winter hibernation. But how much do you know about these adorable spiky mammals – and how can you help them?

Five hedgehog facts

1. Hedgehogs are solitary, which means they spend their time alone. They sleep during the day and feed at night.
2. They’re very good walkers, and can travel up to 12 miles in a single night searching for food and drink.
3. They like eating creepy-crawlies such as worms, beetles, slugs and earwigs.
4. Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets – and a group of hedgehogs is called a prickle!
5. Hedgehog numbers are getting lower, so it’s important we do all we can to help them.  

Five ways you can help them

1. Turn your garden into a ‘hedgehog highway’, by making sure there are gaps in the fence for them to get in and out.
2. Leave out piles of leaves and fallen logs for hedgehogs to nest in.
3. If you have a pond, put rocks or netting around the edge so that hedgehogs can get out easily.
4. Don’t give them milk – leave out water instead.  
5. Ask grown-ups to check for hedgehogs in the long grass before mowing, and in bonfires before lighting them.