Hedgehog Hoglet

Along with many other animals, hedgehogs are struggling to survive. There have been estimates that in the middle of last Century their numbers are thought to have exceeded 30 million throughout the whole of mainland Britain. It is believed that currently there are now just over one million left.

I have always tried to encourage hedgehogs to come and visit my garden. They are nocturnal and lovely to watch. It is said that they eat slugs and snails but as yet I have not seen any of the hedgehogs in my area munching on this particular garden pest. Maybe that is a good thing as so many gardeners use poison to try and rid themselves of slugs and snails that this might pose a threat to hedgehogs that chose to eat this particular garden delicacy.

This week we have had the pleasure of a really old hedgehog and a youngster. The young ones under twelve months old are called ‘hoglets’ a delightful name. I have managed to take a few pictures of the baby one, I’m not sure whether it is a male or female but it is very attractive ..

 

Hoglet eating cat kibble, hulled sunflower seeds, raisins, nuts, etc. Its Latin name is Erinaceus europaeus.

In the Middle Ages it was believed that in preparation for Winter the hedgehog would roll over fallen apples that would stick to their spines and they would then cart them off to sustain the little creatures over the long harsh cold months ..