Hedgehogs may look well-protected under their coat of sharp spines, but these charming visitors to our gardens face more threats than you might think — including one predator you may never have noticed.
A species in decline
For many, the sight of a hedgehog snuffling through the garden is a delight. Not only are they adorable, but they also earn their keep by eating pests and enriching the soil. Sadly, their numbers are falling fast.
In recent years, hedgehog populations have been hit hard by habitat loss, intensive pesticide use, traffic accidents, climate change, and modern gardening tools like robotic lawnmowers. Alongside these human-made dangers, they also face a range of natural predators.
Predators you expect — and one you don’t
Foxes, badgers, stoats, and even curious domestic dogs and cats can injure or kill hedgehogs. Badgers, in particular, have the strength and technique to break through a hedgehog’s defensive ball of spines.
But one of the most surprising dangers comes from above. Some nocturnal birds of prey, such as barn owls, are capable of swooping down silently to snatch hedgehogs during their nighttime foraging. Larger daytime birds, like crows, can also attack young or small individuals. For a hedgehog, these aerial assaults can be just as deadly as any ground-based threat.
How to make your garden hedgehog-safe
If you want to protect the hedgehogs that visit your garden, there are a few steps you can take:
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Provide shelter — Create or buy a small hedgehog house where they can hide from predators and bad weather.
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Leave wild corners — Piles of leaves, branches, and thick hedges give hedgehogs natural cover.
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Add escape routes — Small gaps in fences or walls allow them to move freely between gardens.
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Go pesticide-free — Opt for natural pest control to keep their food supply healthy.
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Supervise pets — Train dogs not to disturb hedgehogs and keep cats from “playing” with them.
Hedgehog quick facts
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Diet — Mostly insectivorous, feeding on worms, beetles, snails, and other small creatures. Pet hedgehogs can also have a specialist diet with occasional fruit or vegetables.
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Hibernation — Wild hedgehogs hibernate in colder months, but pet hedgehogs should be kept at a stable temperature to avoid dangerous unplanned hibernation.
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Signs of illness — Loss of appetite, lethargy, weight loss, laboured breathing, or excessive curling into a ball are warning signs that need veterinary attention.
Hedgehogs are resilient little animals, but their survival increasingly depends on the spaces we create for them. By keeping an eye out for threats — both on the ground and in the air — and making your garden a safer place, you can help these endearing nocturnal visitors thrive for years to come.
