How to care for wild hedgehogs?

Caring for Wild Hedgehogs

Caring for wild hedgehogs involves creating a safe environment for them and providing support when necessary. Here are some tips:

1. **Habitat Protection**: Ensure that your garden or outdoor space is hedgehog-friendly. This means avoiding the use of pesticides and creating natural habitats with dense shrubs, logs, and leaves where hedgehogs can hide and forage for food.

2. **Feeding**: If you want to help wild hedgehogs, you can provide food. Offer cat food (wet or dry) or specialized hedgehog food. Avoid milk and bread, as they can be harmful to hedgehogs.

3. **Water Supply**: Always ensure that there is a shallow dish of fresh water available, especially during dry spells.

4. **Shelter**: If you have a garden, consider building a hedgehog house or leaving piles of leaves and logs where they can nest. This provides a safe space for them to rest and breed.

5. **Avoid Hazards**: Be cautious of hazards such as bonfires, which should be checked before lighting, and ensure that any gaps in fences are small enough to prevent larger animals from entering.

6. **Rescue and Rehabilitation**: If you find an injured or sick hedgehog, contact a local wildlife rescue or rehabilitation center. It's important to handle them carefully and not to attempt to treat them yourself unless you are trained.

7. **Hibernation Awareness**: In colder months, hedgehogs hibernate. If you find a hedgehog during winter that seems active, it may be underweight or unwell. In such cases, contact a wildlife professional for advice.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that wild hedgehogs thrive in your area while minimizing risks to their health and safety.

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