A warning has been issued to anyone who spots a hedgehog in their garden this winter as people have been “throwing them in the bin.”
Our gardens undergo a lot of change throughout this month; colours begins to fade and frost may start to appear. As the cold sets in, vibrant berries will come alive and you may even spot some new wildlife, including hedgehogs. It’s at this time that the sweet creatures may begin hiberation – it typically takes place between November and mid-March, states the RSPCA.
Hedgehogs look for suitable hiberation spot in large piles of leaves amd breanches. So if you have piles of leaves built up that you were planning on sleeping away, consider leaving some for the hogs. The creatures may also curl up in bonfire piles, so check before lighting them, states Wildlife Online.
Sadly, people often mistake a hibernating hedghog for a dead one. A post went viral on popular Facebook page ‘Gardening tips’ in which an individual asked people to “help such a fragile wee thing” in the winter months. They said: ” If you find a ‘dead’ hedgehog during the cold months, do not bury it, do not throw it in the trash.
“No one wants to see a dead animal in their garden or road, but it could be a hedgehog hibernating.”
The gardening tips post added: “They usually dig holes to stay safe, but we have less green areas, bushes or wooded areas these days and it’s becoming harder to find a safe place to spend the winter sleeping.
“Some may come into your gardens seeking safety and warmth to hibernate, some are so exhausted from looking that they end up sleeping in various strange places like roadside streets or even on pavements.
“When they are in hibernation, their heart rate and general body functioning slow down considerably, as a way of saving energy that can confuse a person that the hedgehog is dead.”
In order to keep a hedgehog safe, find a safe and warm place whre it can stay. You can make a hole in a cardboard box in a dry, quiet space for it to hibernate.
It was also noted that hedgehods are endangered in the UK and need protection.The western hedgehog has beendowngraded to “near threatened” in the latest edition of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Any further deterioration in numbers would see them listed as “near-extinct”.
The Facebook post also noted: ” Be aware when you see a hedgehog in the cold months. Let’s be kind to animals!”
The viral post, which has raked in over 8,000 views, saw hundreds of people rush to comment – sharing their experiences with hedgehogs in their garden.
One individual said: “I have two used hibernating boxes in different areas of my garden, plus a hawthorn hedge and bushes for shelter. They deserve all the help they can get.”
One other wrote: “I had to take one to the vet yesterday. It had been strimmered and its face was all but gone. There was nothing the vets could do and it was put down. They were amazed that it was moving around. People please take care.”
“I would definitely make sure they were warm and safe,” said another. “Lovely wee souls who have such a hard life,” wrote another.
Have you spotted a hedgehog in your garden recently? Comment below.
