05/05/2026
This week is National Hedgehog Awareness Week, and we couldn’t let these small, spikey mammals go unnoticed! Hedgehogs aren’t just cute; they're full of surprises and important little helpers in our ecosystems, too.
They can have up to 7000 spines, don’t worry, they’re not poisonous, just prickly! They are nocturnal, meaning they come out at night to hunt for insects, slugs and bugs, and when they feel threatened, they roll into a tight ball, which helps protects they soft belly.
You can help hedgehogs by leaving a small gap in your fence so they can roam safely between gardens, and avoid using pesticides as they rely on insects for food. Check long grass, compost piled etc before cutting them. Finally, you can leave shallow water dishes, especially in warm weather. As well as working along side local charities, a practice we try our hardest to help any hedgehogs that are brought into the surgery and get them back to full health and ready to be returned back to their natural environment.
Every garden can be a safe haven. Let’s give these adorable night wanderers a fighting chance!
