Hedgehogs are a much-loved species in the UK, often voted our favourite wild mammal. Despite this, numbers have dropped rapidly in recent years. In the State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2018 report, published by People's Trust for Endangered Species and British Hedgehog Preservation Society, we have lost half of rural hedgehogs and a third of urban hedgehogs since the millennium. These worrying declines have been attributed to threats such as habitat loss and roadkill.
Fortunately, we can all make changes at home to help hedgehogs to thrive again. If you are wondering how you can help, check out these top ten tips on what you can do to help hedgehogs in your garden here. You can also spread the word on social media using #hedgehogweek.
A Few Hedgehog Facts:
The most important invertebrates in their diet are worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, earwigs and millipedes.
Reproduction occurs any time between April and September, but the period of greatest activity, ‘the rut’, occurs in May and June in Britain.
The average litter size of four or five young, of which two or three are usually weaned successfully.
As the name suggests they are often found near hedgerows, which provide ideal locations for nest sites, a good supply of invertebrates on which they feed, protection from predators and important movement corridors.
During hibernation hedgehogs are not really asleep, instead they drop their body temperature to match their surroundings and enter a state of torpor.
Hedgehogs usually hibernate from October/November through to March/April.
Badgers are the principal natural predator of hedgehogs in the UK, as they are the only creature strong enough to overcome the spiny defences.
We appear to have lost around 30% of the population since 2002 and therefore it seems likely that there are now fewer than a million hedgehogs left in the UK.
Hedgehogs now appear to be declining in the UK at the same rate as tigers are globally – at around 5% a year, both in rural and urban habitats.
Why not help raise funds for hedgehog conservation by purchasing one of our hedgehog products? We donate 10% of all our hedgehog products to the People's Trust for Endangered Species.
An elegant fine bone china Creature Candy jug featuring a beautiful hand drawn image of a hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus, including descriptive text about the species. Perfect for use as a milk or cream jug.
Designed and made in England.
Dishwasher & microwave safe.
Dimensions: H 11cm, capacity 1/2 pint approx.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.
Did you know? Hedgehogs are known as a ‘gardener’s friend’ as they eat the insect that nibble on much loved plants.
Invite nature inside with our Creature Candy print featuring a beautiful hand drawn image of a hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus. Each print is presented on textured paper, giving the image a sense of depth and realism.
Available in A4.
Designed and made in England.
Prints are unframed and printed on sustainably sourced paper.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the wildlife charities we support.
Did you know? Hedgehogs have an excellent sense of hearing and smell, which makes up for their awful eyesight.
PRE-ORDERS (posted 29th May)
A slightly bigger mug than our old one - we’ve listened to our customers requests!
Dimensions: H 94mm, D 84mm, capacity 14oz.
There is no better way to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee than from an English fine bone china mug. Our Creature Candy fine bone china mugs feature a beautiful hand drawn image of a hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus, including descriptive text about the species.
Designed and made in England.
Dishwasher & microwave safe.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the People's Trust for Endangered Species.
Did you know? Hedgehogs are one of only three British mammals to actually hibernate.
Send happy birthday wishes with our range of Creature Candy birthday cards. This card features a beautiful hand drawn image of a European hedgehogErinaceus europaeus. Cards also feature silver foiled lettering, are blank inside and come with a light grey envelope.
Size 15cm x 15cm
Printed on FSC certified paper & packaged in biodegradable cello bags.
Designed and made in England.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the wildlife charities we support.
Did you know? Hedgehogs got their name due to their fondness for rooting around in hedgerows and undergrowth.
Keep in touch with your loved ones with our range of Creature Candy greetings cards. Our hedgehog card features a beautiful hand drawn image of a European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus. Cards are A6 size, blank inside and come with a light grey envelope.
Printed on FSC certified paper.
Designed and made in England.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the People's Trust for Endangered Species.
Did you know? Hoglets emerge from the end on June onwards, and are weaned for around 5 weeks.
