Hedgehogs

This hedgehog was seen on November 12th, 2015 in a garden on Westgate. He was busy snuffling around and hopefully stocking up for his long winter sleep.

Here is some advice from Tiggywinkles, a leading wildlife hospital, about caring for any hedgehogs you may meet in your garden:

• Do leave some areas of wilderness where the hedgehogs can snuffle for insects.
• Do put out water for drinking.
• Do put out a bowl of dog food or meaty cat food around dusk.
• Do install, in a quiet part of the garden, a hedgehog house.
• Do look to see if your hedgehog is limping or appears to be injured, or in late Autumn look out for underweight hedgehogs.
• Don't put out bread and milk.
• Don't pick up fit hedgehogs.
• Don't leave black sacks lying around.
• Don't use slug pellets or other chemicals, they may poison hedgehogs and other animals.
• Don't light a bonfire without checking to see if a hedgehog or other wild animal has moved in.
• Don't fork over compost heaps in case hedgehogs or other animals have taken up residence.
• Don't spray hedgehogs with dog or cat flea sprays. It will be detrimental to the hedgehog.