5 Ways To Help Hedgehogs Survive The Heat

During one of this year’s earlier heatwaves (and there have been many), the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) issued an “urgent plea” for us to provide water for thirsty wildlife.

They noted that this is especially key given a 2022 report that found rural hedgehog populations have shrunk by somewhere between 30% and 75% since 2000.

Recently, a hedgehog rescue centre told the BBC they’d been “inundated” with baby hedgehogs following very dry and hot conditions in the south-east of the UK.

Speaking to HuffPost UK, Fay Vass, chief executive for BHPS, noted: “As our climate continues to change and become more extreme, it poses new dangers and challenges to our native wildlife.

“Scarcity of water sources is a common problem for wildlife and long spells of drought only serve to make this worse. Small mammals can easily become dehydrated and having access to fresh, clean water can mean the difference between life and death for hedgehogs.”

So what should we actually do to make their summers more bearable?

During very hot weather, hydration is key for hedgehogs and other wildlife.

“Placing shallow dishes of clean, fresh water around the garden is a simple, easy step we can all take that will provide a lifeline for hedgehogs and other wildlife during hot, dry spells,” Vass said.

You might have taken part in “no-mow May”, a scheme which sees gardens grow wild across the UK.

This has been linked to greater biodiversity. And according to the Vass, the practice can help animals long past May too.

“Allowing sections of the garden to be wild and overgrown is important… as this can offer much-needed shade, shelter and a natural food source,” she said.

Additionally, “leaving log piles and leaf piles in quieter corners also offers valuable shelter and places to forage for grubs, worms and other natural food” year-round.

It’s not just about water. “Hedgehogs can struggle to find enough food when the ground is hot and dry,” said the expert.

“Putting out some high-quality meaty hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food or dry cat biscuits to supplement their natural diet can provide a vital lifeline for hungry hedgehogs during the hot summer months,” she added, stressing it’s important to make sure their feeding dishes and areas are kept clean.

Though its benefits might be felt especially keenly in summer, Vass said this is one of the best ways to support animals no matter the weather.

“Creating a wildlife-friendly garden with features such as a gently sloping pond provides a reliable year-round water source and encourages insect prey,” she advised.

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about how to make your own with an old washing-up bowl.

Again, this is just as important in summer as it is in winter. “It’s vital to make sure hedgehogs can access your garden<” said the expert.

Check with your neighbours if you share a fence, and if it’s OK with everyone concerned, consider creating “13x13cm gaps in fences or walls to allow them to move freely between gardens and green spaces”.