Hedgehog Myths and Facts

6, May, 2020

This week is Hedgehog Awareness Week, which means there’s lot of talk about our favourite animal, the incredible hedgehog!

Hedgehogs have always been a core part of British wildlife, and for centuries people have been fascinated by this small creature that sometimes shows up in our gardens at night. They are very cute, they eat the pesky insects that threaten your plants and they are often vulnerable, so really need people like you and me to care about them.

The local hedgehog is often misunderstood and over the years there have been a number of myths and old wives’ tales surrounding hedgehogs that shape peoples’ understanding of these animals. That is why, here at Spike’s and in partnership with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, we have created this handy infographic to bust those myths and share some interesting facts about our amazing hedgehogs.

Myth: Hedgehogs hibernate all winter. Fact: Hedgehogs will venture out from time to time to top up on food or even move nests! Myth: Hedgehogs need fleas to survive. Fact: This is an old wives tale, not only do they not need fleas to survive, but not all hedgehogs even have fleas. Myth: You should leave milk out for hedgehogs. Fact: Milk can cause diarrhoea in hedgehogs, only fresh water in a shallow bowl should be left for hedgehogs to drink Myth: Hedgehogs are slow moving animals. Fact: Hedgehogs have longer legs than you would expect, and can reach a top speed of 9 km per hour. Myth: Hedgehogs all look the same. Facts: There are 16 different species of hedgehog but only one of those is native to the UK. Myth: Hedgehogs carry fruit on their back. Fact: This was believed in medieval times, but it is not true (although it would be a cool hedgehog superpower)

 

Hedgehog numbers in the UK have plummeted by half over the past 20 years. It is important now, more than ever, for the people of Britain do their part to preserve these special animals. Here at Spike’s, we have been developing nutritional, tasty recipes for hedgehogs since the ’90s! Feed your little garden visitors with their favourite bowl of Spike’s!

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