Are hedgehogs endangered in the UK?

If you live in the UK, you’re likely to be familiar with the beloved hedgehog. These mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae are icons of the British countryside (not to mention their famous role in the nostalgia-inducing THINK! road safety advert of the nineties). While they are not classified as endangered, hedgehog populations are declining across Britain, causing concern among conservationists.

How much have hedgehog populations declined in the UK?

Since the year 2000, hedgehog populations have declined by 30 to 75% across the UK. The areas most affected are the East Midlands and the East of England. Conversely, urban populations of hedgehogs appear to be recovering after a decrease according to a 2022 report, with the animals thriving in cemeteries, parks and other green spaces.

Why are hedgehogs disappearing from the countryside?

There are a number of reasons why we see fewer hedgehogs in the countryside than we did 25 years ago. These include:

• Habitat loss: Housing and commercial developments and the consequential destruction of hedgerows and woodlands reduce the natural habitats available for hedgehogs. In addition, the fragmentation of habitats by roads, fences and other barriers makes it difficult for hedgehogs to find food, mates and suitable nesting sites.
• Pesticides: The use of pesticides reduces the availability of invertebrates, a key food source for hedgehogs.
• Traffic: With the number of cars on the roads increasing year by year, the number of hedgehogs killed by cars each year also increases.

What can you do to help local hedgehogs?

 It might seem like a mammoth task to reverse decades of population decline in hedgehogs, but if as many people as possible made small contributions to the effort, it could make a huge difference to wildlife across the UK.

Create safe habitats in your garden

Hedgehogs benefit from safe retreats from the wild, both to shelter from harsh weather conditions, and to hide from prey. These shelters can take the form of sturdy logs, or a pre-built hedgehog home made with natural materials. Hedgehogs don’t need large spaces to build their nests - in fact they prefer a more ‘cosy’ space where they can feel more protected.

When forming your hedgehog habitat, be sure to choose a sheltered location away from foot traffic, and preferably with some vegetation nearby, as insects - the main food source for our spiky friends - will be more abundant in these areas.

Form wildlife corridors

Reduce the need for hedgehogs to cross dangerous roads by creating wildlife corridors. These can be small holes in the bottom of your fence, which allow hedgerows to travel from garden to garden. Just make sure to check with your neighbour before making alterations to your fence.

Use specially designed feed

If you want to supplement hedgehogs at times when food is scarce (throughout winter and early spring), you can use specialised feed designed to provide the nutrients they need to survive and thrive. Choose food with a high meat content, preferably with added vitamins and yeast for protein. This feed from The Wildlife Community is ideal for hedgehogs!

Never feed hedgehogs bread; salty or sugary foods; fish-based dog or cat food; or nuts and seeds (as these can be a choking hazard).

Always provide fresh water when feeding

A regularly cleaned and refreshed bowl of water can be a lifeline for hedgehogs, as natural water sources can be scarce, especially during hot weather.

Never leave milk out for hedgehogs, as they are severely lactose-intolerant, and therefore ingesting milk can be fatal.

What to do next

Once you have implemented one or a few of these tips to create a more hedgehog-friendly environment in your garden, there is not much you need to do besides replenishing water and ensuring eating areas are kept in a hygienic state.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so you are unlikely to see them roaming about your garden during the day, but there will be signs! If hedgehogs are visiting your garden, you may come across their droppings, or spot their trails through fallen leaves and undergrowth. If you’re interested in learning more about their behaviour, you could place a camera in your garden to record their activity at night. Besides this, it is best to leave them undisturbed and allow them to thrive without interruption!