The Hog Under the Hedge
Ever wonder how the hedgehog got its name?
Small, brown, and prickly are the first words that come to mind when asked to describe the hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus, one of Britain's best known, charismatic mammals. Upon first hearing the name hedgehog, one might assume that this species is a relative of the pig, or as otherwise known, the hog. However, this is not the case and in fact the name actually originates from the peculiar foraging habits of this species. Hedgehogs use their nose to root through hedges and other undergrowth in search of insects, earthworms, frogs, snails and mice, which make up the bulk of their diet. As a hedgehog forages, it emits pig-like grunts, and hence to one who is unaware, this may seem like a pig is foraging beneath a hedge.
Fact: Shakespeare refers to hedgehogs as 'hedgepigs' in a 'Midsummer Night's Dream'.
Hedgehogs are found almost everywhere in Britain but tend to avoid uplands, wet areas and pine forests, most likely because these lack suitable food and nesting places. When threatened, hedgehogs will curl into a ball, utilising their 5000-7000 sharp spines as protection from predators. One peculiar behaviour which all hedgehogs exhibit is the practise of covering their spines in saliva. The reason for this remains a mystery, although it has been suggested that it could be used for camouflage, as a sexual attractant, or to reduce parasites.
Hedgehogs were once common throughout Britain, but are now under threat from habitat loss caused by development and a reduction in hedgerows due to agricultural intensification. The Wildlife Trust says "Hedgehogs are disappearing from our countryside as fast as tigers from the wild". There are however many ways that we can all help hedgehog populations to increase in number once again.
Make your garden a haven for wildlife: hedgehogs love beetles, earthworms and slugs, so grow a wide variety of plants to attract lots of food for hedgehogs.
Create hedgehog highways: coordinate with neighbours to cut a 13cm^2 hole in your fence, or a channel by which hedgehogs can move freely between gardens.
Provide nesting sites: logs and leaf piles are perfect for hibernation.
Build a hedgehog home
Don't use slug pellets: these are poisonous - the hedgehog will do the job for you!
Cover drains/gullies: hedgehogs have poor eyesight and thus fall into holes and get stuck
Finally, if you find a sick or injured hedgehog, there are many local rescue centres such as Rochale Hedgehog Rescue (Rochdale) and Prickles Hedgehog Resuce (Somerset) - a more detailed list of rescue centres can be found here: http://www.hedgehog-rescue.org.uk/cms/find-a-rescue/