How to spot a hedgehog
25th June 2019
One of the most common questions I hear is…
How do I know if I have hedgehogs?
Well, I’m pleased to tell you that there are lots of ways to identify if hedgehogs are around:
- Firstly, check out the BIG hedgehog map to see if people have spotted hedgehogs near you.
- Hedgehog poop is quite recognisable. It’s black, flat at one end and pointed at the other only a bout an inch long. Find out more here.
- ‘Hog prints are unique so if you have any wet earth, sand, or want to use a proper mammal surveying tunnel you can see if ‘hogs are using your garden. You can buy mammal footprint tunnels from Ark Wildlife.
- If you have a hedgehog house, it’s important not to disturb any nesting hedgehogs as it might cause a mother to abandon her hoglets, so avoid opening the house. Instead you can place some leaves/bedding near the house, a ‘hog will likely drag this into the house for nesting, so look out for bedding that has been moved. Another trick is to place a stick over the house entrance and if this has moved it could be that a hedgehog is using it.
- Finally, the sure fire way of spotting hedgehogs is installing a wildlife camera facing the house. There are some great affordable ones here on Nature Spy.
