
Understanding Hedgehog Nests: A Crucial Role for Artificial Homes
The sight of a hedgehog snuffling through the undergrowth is a joyful one, but behind that charming exterior lies a species facing significant challenges. European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in the UK are now classified as vulnerable to extinction, with populations having suffered alarming declines in recent decades. Understanding their behaviour, particularly their nesting habits, is vital to their survival, and this is where human intervention, through providing artificial homes, can play a transformative role.