WITH the winter fast approaching, more and more hedgehogs are making their way into gardens to hibernate. HANNAH WOOD spoke to hedgehog and wildlife charities for tips to ensure these creatures are protected.

THE beginning of November is the usual start of the hibernation period for hedgehogs with the risk of floods, the cold and predators significantly affecting their chances of survival.

A large number of hedgehogs will not survive these conditions until the spring, so will now be putting the final touches to their hibernation nests.

Hibernation occurs when the outside temperature significantly drops and animals’ natural food becomes scarce. Hedgehogs hibernate to close down the body to preserve energy and fat reserves. Male hedgehogs are likely to hibernate before the females usually under a shed or pile of leaves. As hedgehogs are becoming more commonly sighted in urban areas, charities are urging residents to look after them if the prickly animals do reside in their garden.

Fav Vass, chief executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society said: “Hedgehogs will want to hibernate in somewhere dry and sturdy. It is important for residents to encourage easy access into gardens and ensure that gardens are free from hazards.”

For those residents wanting to make a nest or safe place for the spiky creatures during the winter, Mrs Vass recommends creating a nest box out of twigs and dry leaves. Hedgehogs also like to nest in dry wood piles, but these should be checked for larger predators or hazards.

Martyn Wright, senior recruitment officer for Gwent Wildlife Trust said: “It’s important just to keep an eye on hedgehogs. An upturned plant pot can even be used as a nest to protect them whilst they are hibernating.”

During the spring and summer, hedgehogs usually eat insects including beetles, caterpillars and earthworms but as the winter comes, food can become scarce. Mrs Vass said: “Hedgehogs need to keep their weight up in winter. People who want to encourage hedgehogs into their garden can feed them meaty dog or cat food, or chopped and unsalted peanuts.”

Mr Wright said: “Dried cat food is a good thing to feed them as well as dried fruit, they also seem to love bananas!”

The Preservation Society recommend that slug pellets are used sparingly in gardens as these are potentially poisonous for hedgehogs and that dead slugs are removed daily. They also suggest that other garden pesticides are used with caution. They also advise that they are only given water to drink.

Many hedgehog lovers will also wonder how to keep the creatures safe around their pets. Mrs Vass said: “Allowing your pets in the garden whilst hedgehogs are hibernating is safe to do. Cats usually aren’t bothered by hedgehogs and will not make a fuss of them, however dog owners do need to be more cautious, depending on the temperament of the dog. Hedgehogs are mostly nocturnal, so I would suggest that the last walk owners do in the evening with their dogs is on a lead.”

Young hedgehogs or ‘hoglets’ need extra care in the winter. Mr Wright explained that hedgehogs have two litters throughout the year around March or June, but sometimes if the weather is mild, like 2013, they have another litter between September and October, which means that the babies are extra small during the hibernation period.

Very often these young hedgehogs will be old enough to be away from the mother, but too young to hibernate. The Preservation Society advises that if the young hedgehog is a regular visitor to a garden and always eats the food that is put out for them, then they are safe to stay in the wild. However, if the hedgehog goes off the food or appears to be staggering or wobbly when walking then it is probably advisable that it is rescued by the RSCPA or another wildlife charity.

With bonfire night looming, both the Preservation Society and Gwent Wildlife Trust are encouraging people to make their gardens hedgehog friendly. Mrs Vass said: “Hedgehogs will be roaming regularly at night at this time of year, and to them, bonfire piles appear to be a perfect source of shelter. We would therefore urge anyone who is planning to have a bonfire during the autumn months to check very carefully for hedgehog activity and to move their piles before lighting them to avoid casualties.”

Mr Wright added: “Hedgehogs can be found all over Gwent so all locals, wherever you live in the area, should look out for hedgehogs this bonfire night.”

The People’s Trust for Endangered Species also teamed up with the Preservation Society to give their top tips on making hedgehog friendly gardens this year. Henry Johnson, hedgehog officer at People's Trust said: “In autumn months hedgehogs will be foraging for food to store up their fat reserves and seeking out suitable shelter in preparation for hibernation. This coincides with a generally busy time in the gardening calendar so it would be great if people can spare a thought for hedgehogs while they are pruning and mulching. Making log piles and storing leaf litter in a quiet corner of the garden creates natural nesting and feeding sites for them – and it’s so easy to do.”