Threats: The biggest threat to hedgehogs is probably habitat loss, with the change from pastoral farming to arable crops, over the last 30 years. The use of chemicals in gardens and for intensive farming kills the creatures hedgehogs need for food and may also poison them directly. Many are also killed on roads.
All hedgehogs take time to adapt to a new environment or their new home. They sometimes get scared easily from noises, disturbances, and changes to the environment. So bringing them home for the first time, might still get their defenses up.
Hedgehogs devour many of our endangered species and are accelerating the decline of our native wading birds, lizards and invertebrates. Hedgehogs pose one of the greatest threats to our unique and threatened ecosystems.
Predators. The various species are prey to different predators: while forest hedgehogs are prey primarily to birds (especially owls) and ferrets, smaller species like the long-eared hedgehog are prey to foxes, wolves, and mongooses. Hedgehog bones have been found in the pellets of the Eurasian eagle owl.
A badger and a hedgehog feeding together on a lawn. Badgers are hedgehogs' main predators in the UK. They are the only animals strong enough to tackle a hedgehog's spiny defences. Hedgehogs and badgers share what's known as an asymmetric intraguild predation relationship.
Thousands of hedgehogs die every year for a variety of reasons, most of them caused by humans. Here are some hazards faced by hedgehogs: Road traffic; this is probably the biggest danger during the spring and summer.
Hedgehogs will generally try to run away from people or if shocked will curl up in to a spiky ball. They have sharp needles all over their backs which can penetrate the skin. It will often itch if a needle does and may cause a rash.
With their keen sense of smell, dogs often detect hedgehogs before we humans spot them. Sadly some dogs can harm or even kill hedgehogs, when instinct tells them to hunt prey.
Essential Oils: I have been advised that oils that are considered "hot" are toxic to hedgehogs. Oils that are considered hot: Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Hyssop, Lemongrass, Ocotea, Oregano, Peppermint, Thieves, and Thyme. These are often contained in blends.
Keep your distance from a hissing hedgehog, just like you would from a hissing snake. When a hedgehog hisses, it means he is really annoyed and wants you, other hogs or other animals to clear off. Hedgehogs will often make the hissing noise if their nest is disturbed or if they are cornered or approached by a predator.
Understanding Huffing, Puffing, Clicking and Popping
It is a sign that your hedgehog is feeling threatened and scared, nervous, or possibly unhappy.
If you find an injured hedgehog, wearing thick gardening gloves, pick it up by holding it in both hands round the middle, scooping it up. Put it into a cardboard box lined with newspaper and give a small towel or tea towel for it to hide under.
Keep calm and quiet – hedgehogs have very keen hearing and can easily be traumatised; you don't want to frighten him more than he is already.
Hedgehogs are cute little critters famous for their prickly spines, which they have everywhere except on their face, legs, and bellies. When a hedgehog feels threatened they curl into a tight ball and tuck in their heads, tails, and legs, to protect vulnerable parts of their body.
They have poor eyesight but an acute sense of smell, touch and hearing. If threatened with danger, a hedgehog will raise its spines and roll up into a tight ball. This will deter most animals, though a determined fox is capable of opening one up!
If your dog does pick up a hedgehog when you are out on a walk, it is always best to get the hedgehog checked over by a rescue, particularly if you see any blood on the dog or hedgehog.
Dogs can and sometimes do attack hedgehogs. Often adult hedgehogs will be sufficiently protected by their spines but sick or young hedgehogs may be killed. Try to keep dogs away from any hedgehogs in your garden as an encounter could lead to both animals being hurt.
If your dog is injured by a hedgehog, bathe its mouth in water that has been boiled and left to cool and add some sea salt, which has antiseptic properties. If you are still concerned afterwards, visit the vet.
The quills tend to lay down flat along the back and sides of the hedgehog, all pointing towards their rear end, so as long as you don't push against the sharp tips of the quills (pet them backwards) they pose no problems or chance of being poked.
And when hedgehogs get scared, they curl into a tight ball. And that makes a hedgie's quills stick out in all directions. So when you try to pick them up, you could hurt your hands if you aren't gentle. Hedgehogs are really very friendly, once we get to know you.
Petting a happy hedgehog is a bit like affectionately stroking a bristly hairbrush. Attempting to pet an upset hedgehog is more like trying to soothe a wriggly cactus of doom. That's the answer to the most common question I get when people learn I'm caretaker to a hedgehog: What do they feel like?
Cats and Hedgehogs Can Get Along
So we've seen in this article that cats and hedgehogs pose no real threat to one another. Cats rarely attack hedgehogs, and hogs won't give your cat fleas. So there is no reason why cat lovers shouldn't enjoy hedgehogs in the garden. As a species hedgehogs in the UK are in real trouble.
Keller says, “With appropriate care and keeping, your hedgehog will live about five years, and some even live longer than eight years.” If you have any questions about hedgehogs, contact your local veterinarian.