In a groundbreaking study, researchers have provided a rare glimpse into the secret lives of hedgehogs living in British gardens. The study, led by a team from Nottingham Trent University and Chester Zoo, analysed thousands of camera trap images from 415 volunteer gardens across Cheshire to uncover the factors influencing hedgehog presence and activity.
The findings offer valuable insights into the importance of urban habitats for the conservation of these declining mammals. Hedgehogs were detected in 57% of the gardens surveyed, underscoring the crucial role these domestic spaces play in providing refuge for the nocturnal creatures.
“Our data will contribute to further studies, including one looking at hedgehogs, foxes and badgers,” said lead researcher Kelly Hitchcock, a PhD student at Nottingham Trent University. “There is more research needed, and public participation has huge potential to help us understand how UK wildlife and people coexist within a changing world.”
The study revealed that the presence of supplementary food was a key factor in attracting hedgehogs, with the animals appearing in 78% of gardens that provided hedgehog-specific food and 53% of gardens with bird food on the ground. Conversely, hedgehog presence dropped to 46% in gardens where no food was left out, with just over a quarter (28%) of all the gardens surveyed containing food for the prickly visitors.
However, the researchers cautioned that the practice of feeding wildlife requires further study, as it can lead to unintended consequences, such as increased disease transmission, altered hibernation behaviour and changes in species community structure.
“The provision of supplementary food clearly plays a significant role in shaping hedgehog movement and distribution,” Hitchcock explained. “Despite the possible benefits of supplementary feeding, it can pose potential risks that warrant further investigation in future research.”
Interestingly, the study also revealed that hedgehogs were 70% more likely to be spotted in gardens where foxes had been detected, possibly due to the higher chance of food availability. The researchers captured images of foxes and hedgehogs sharing food bowls, despite the fact that hedgehogs can be prey for foxes.
Leah Williams, lead conservation scientist in population biology at Chester Zoo, praised the collaborative nature of the project, which would not have been possible without the participation of the volunteer gardeners. “It was a hugely collaborative project and would not have been possible without the volunteers who allowed cameras into their gardens,” she said. “We know many were surprised to find that their gardens host hedgehogs, which are nocturnal, and we like to think this was a nice way for the participants to feel more connected to species living just beyond their doorstep.”
The findings of this study are expected to contribute to further research and conservation efforts aimed at protecting Britain’s beloved hedgehogs, whose populations have been in decline due to factors such as habitat loss and increased road mortality. By shedding light on the secret lives of these nocturnal creatures, the researchers hope to inform strategies that will safeguard the future of these prickly garden residents.
