Helmed by leading conservationist Chester Zoo, a study on how hedgehogs use home gardens has unveiled a host of new information.
The recent research project saw over 400 Cheshire households participate by installing motion-sensitive cameras in gardens. The successful study collected thousands of images of the often-elusive wild mammals who are currently classed by animal preservationists as “Vulnerable”.
The research was conducted in partnership with Nottingham Trent University and is part of Chester’ Zoo’s project called “Hedgehog Watch”. The report recorded that hedgehogs were present in 57% of Cheshire gardens, indicating how important to the species private green spaces can be.
Researchers highlighted that the most substantial effect on hedgehog activity in gardens was food. The study showed that 78% of gardens providing nourishment had visits and that 53% of gardens where birds were fed also recorded hedgehogs. Gardens without available food had fewer hedgehogs, at just 46%.
When surveyed, only 28% of household put food out for hedgehogs and although feeding attracts them, experts have warned that such acts of charity require further consideration. For instance, it can change patterns of hibernations, encourage interspecies interactions dangerous to hedgehogs, and even put them at risk of disease.
Mammal specialists at the zoo advise those wishing to welcome hedgehogs to their garden to leave a small entrance in their fence to allow access, avoid using slug pellets and pesticides, seek out advice before providing food and to create shelters in wild corners featuring logs and leaves.