HOW YOUR YARD CAN BE PARADISE FOR URCHINS?
The little, cute animals we usually see after the winter is gone and they wake up , make us happy just knowing they are the part of ecosystem. The urchin or hedgepig are very sociable mammals that are also pretty much adaptable. This means they love pure nature and county life but also they can survive in urban areas, as long as they can roam in the layered gardens and find enough food and other companions .
They are very interesting creatures and about 17 species are known to be present around Europe, America and Africa. As nocturnal animals , they avoid sun and enjoy their day in sleep, being active after the sunset , using for food searching. Since they don’t see so well, they rely on great smell and hearing.
I find it interesting to know that each hedgehog has about 5000-7000 spikes and after a while, the old is done being replaced by the new one. They are not poisonous but they could still make an injury if you are not cautious. Beside it, our garden friend shall not be bothered and taken into hands for any purpose.
They are immune on the snake venom and that’s why is very well known that garden where they are is snake free.
Since they are carnivorous , this means they travel a lot for their food, sometimes even 2-3 kilometers during the night. If they wind kind of wild garden where is balance with all insects , they will stay and even build their nest. The mating season is starting in June and after one month, the babies are born and ready to learn from mama the tactics about survival. They will stay about 42 days, being taught how to hunt and find own source of food. When the teaching season is over, they need to move on and move away from their mother. In the meantime, the female hedgehog will do all what is possible to keep them safe from predators but also from other males that sometimes prey on young.
Due to the fact that they eat worms, different insects, frogs and sometimes baby birds, they can accept support from humans in form of cat food or raw meat. If you have it in your garden and you are sure that there is not enough offer from insects , you can provide cat food but please, no milk because they are lactose intolerant fellows.
These awesome garden helpers are in serious decline all over Europe and it must be done something for their protection. The main reason is that they are killed oft on the roads or in the garden by lawnmowers and chemicals. Many people fight the pest on the plants by using dangerous methods and mixing different poisons which ruin the natural and basic garden balance and bio system. It doesn’t kill only the pest, it kills all what you need for biological harmony in your garden.
Have you ever wondered how nature regulates it with no problem? Why you are interfering ? I let my garden be self sufficient and independent. This means that majority of insects that want to harm my plants are being eaten by birds, hedgehogs or even hornets. I don’t pretend I know better and I keep hand away from any harmful product.
I believe that when hedgehog is roaming in your yard it is a sign that you are on the good path to reach the natural habitat for all visible and invisible creatures. Especially in summer time is important ti provide water and food for all visitors or residents and they will be thankful and do their job for you and for free.
The cute urchin is fast pal and can even obtain the speed 9,5 km/h which means they are great athletes and could even swim and climb very good. The last time I encountered them, I thought it is not so fast but was pure surprise. I wanted to bring them one fresh apple but when I came back, they were gone in some other part of the garden. So I assume they don’t need party with people all the time but there where they find happiness, they will stay and follow you on your way to pure natural environment.
The humans should stop turning each part of their place into sterile outcome of empty soul. Let the garden be the perfect symbol of freedom, creativity and authenticity of wildlife. You won’t regret.
SARAH MAX RESEARCH 
Sarah’s delightful and informative article reminded me of the Hedgehog Highways we have here in Oxfordshire, England…
Ostensibly, the ancestor of the contemporary hedgehog species first emerged in The Eocene Period (i.e. 56-34 million years ago); one of the oldest mammal species still inexistence.
The appellation of ‘hedgehog’ emerged circa 1450 in England; from The Middle English ‘heyg’ (i.e. hedge) and ‘hogge’ (i.e. hog: reference to hedgehog’s pig-like snout).
While hedgehogs have been a part of the British landscape for millions of years and are cherished in folklore, the practice of creating small holes in garden fences and walls specifically for them, known as ‘Hedgehog Highways’, is a relatively-recent development in Britain; stemming from growing public awareness and concern about declining hedgehog populations due to traffic fatalities, habitat loss, etc.
The Hedgehog Highway in Kirtlington, Oxfordshire, started around 2016 and the Hedgehog Highway project in Eynsham, Oxfordshire, began in 2021. Organisations like The British Hedgehog Preservation Society and The People’s Trust for Endangered Species have actively- encouraged and promoted the creation of hedgehog highways as a central conservation strategy.
It is estimated that 335,000 hedgehogs are killed on British roads each year. With a current estimated population of around only 1 million hedgehogs in Britain, this level of traffic fatality represents a serious threat to the species.
While road mortality is a major issue, other factors like habitat loss, changes in farming practices, and the impact of badgers contribute to the decline of e hedgehogs. Some local governments have introduced hedgehog crossing signs and tunnels beneath roads, but driver awareness plays a crucial role in protecting the hedgehogs.
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