As the weather warms across Britain, hedgehogs are beginning to emerge from their winter hibernation, prompting wildlife experts to issue a warning to the public: observe these spiky creatures from a distance.
While sightings of the nocturnal mammals in gardens during mid-March and April are a welcome sign of spring, Helen Baczkowska, conservation research and evidence manager at Norfolk Wildlife Trusts, cautions against handling them.
She explained the variable nature of their emergence, noting: “It’s pretty warm at the minute and they might come out, toddle around for a few days and then, if there’s a really cold snap, go back to sleep for a few days, not into a deep hibernation, but this time of year can be variable.”
The one that lives outside my place (Hertford, and hopefully in the house I bought for them) has been out and about every few nights. Even Christmas and New Year’s Eve. I see him/her on a camera I set up to watch for them. I did try putting out food but Woody aka Six Dinner Sid would to get to it before foxes (at least two) or hedgehog. It got to the point where he’d wait for me to bring the food out.
