Watch Out for our Sleepy, Spiky Campus Pals: The Perils of the Erinaceus Europaeus (a.k.a. the Hedgehog)

When you think of campus life, you probably picture busy students and caffeine-fuelled all-nighters. But guess what? Beneath the hedgerows and around the Student Union and Rootes Grocery Store dumpsters, there’s a quieter, nocturnal community trying to survive: the (adorable!) hedgehogs. These spiky little campus critters might not be chasing a degree, but they’re definitely enrolled in the school of hard knocks. Hedgehog populations are at risk of extinction. To support their recovery the University has participated in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus initiative! Today, we’re diving into the delightful yet precarious world of hedgehogs on (and off) campus.

But first, can we talk about how undeniably cute they are?

Absolutely, we can! Hedgehogs are seriously adorable. Sleepy yet ever so delightful– they’re some of the UK’s most cherished mammals, spending a lot of their lives snoozing. With their button noses, curious snouts, and surprisingly graceful waddles, they’re some of the cutest spiky creatures around. But while these tiny adventurers seem like they’re having a blast, they face a series of dangers every day.

Habitat loss & fragmentation

Hedgehogs need to roam widely to find food, mates, and nesting spots, but this is becoming harder as habitats are being lost and are increasingly fragmented due to building development, garden infilling and creation of new roads. Ensuring habitat connectivity is crucial for their movement and survival. The University is planting hedgerows to link up habitats on campus and also creating more spaces for wildlife through letting grass grow long, sowing wildflower meadows, building bug hotels and more.

If you own a garden, you can support hedgehogs with hedgehog highways! These 13cm x 13cm square openings at the base of boundary walls and fences let hedgehogs move freely between habitats, helping them access more areas for food, mates, and shelter, hence reducing fragmentation.

Roads & traffic

Our campuses are designed for the quick pace of busy students and smooth bike and car traffic, not for the slow shuffle of foraging hedgehogs. Vehicle movements are a big threat to our spiky friends. Hedgehogs, with their tendency to freeze and curl up into a ball when scared, makes them more susceptible to moving traffic.

So, dear students and staff, let’s take a moment to check under our bikes and cars and drive within the speed limit especially in early summer when hedgehogs and their young are active before dusk. We definitely do not want to add to the number of hedgehogs killed on our campus roads. Please, please, please be vigilant and keep an eye out!

Rubbish

Our beloved hedgehogs are curious creatures, and what do curious creatures often encounter? Rubbish! Plastic wrappers, cups, open food cans, and discarded containers can be hazardous to our tiny foragers. Hedgehogs can get their heads stuck in cups or trapped in plastic bags, leading to injury or even death. Poorly discarded trash can pose a serious risk to these nocturnal animals, potentially causing them to become trapped and starve. So, let’s all come together and prevent injuries to hedgehogs by cutting plastic holders and reusing or squashing cans before placing them in the designated recycling bins.

Strimmers, garden trimmers, and lawn mowers

Strimmers and garden tools can injure or kill hedgehogs nesting in long grass, hedges, and compost heaps. The Grounds and Gardens Team always check these areas before strimming, forking over, or cutting foliage to prevent injuries. Make sure you do too! .

Garden ponds

Garden ponds pose risks to hedgehogs, as their steep, slippery sides make escape tough. Hedgehogs are surprisingly good swimmers but can’t swim forever and may drown if they can’t get out. To reduce these risks, ensure ponds and other water features have gently sloping sides and provide ramps or wooden planks for climbing out.

Many ponds and lakes on campus have shallower sides and, where they don’t, there are ramps to help hedgehogs to escape.

Compost heaps & bonfires

Hedgehogs often nest in warm compost heaps or leaf piles, so always check these spots before turning or mixing them with a garden fork to avoid harming them. They also nest and hibernate in stacks of leaves, branches, and logs from November to mid-March. Always check these piles before removing them or lighting a bonfire. For safety, build bonfires only on the day you plan to light them to prevent hedgehogs from nesting inside. Use a torch to inspect wood piles, move the sticks around, and lift the base with a long post to ensure no hedgehogs are present.

Pets

Dogs can cause serious injuries to hedgehogs, like broken legs, puncture wounds, neurological damage, and even blindness. Therefore, it's important to be vigilant for any signs that your dog may be chasing or attacking hedgehogs. Keep your dog on a leash after dark and closely supervise them at all times. If hedgehogs are frequent visitors to your garden, monitor their habits and take precautions to ensure your dog isn’t out when hedgehogs are active. While adult cats are unlikely to harm adult hedgehogs, they may pose a threat to infant hoglets if they encounter them.

Safeguarding Hedgehogs on Campus: Let’s All Do Our Part!

In conclusion, while campus life presents a series of hurdles for hedgehogs a lot is being done to make campus better for hedgehogs and there’s a lot we can all do to help make their lives a lot safer. These charming creatures remind us of the importance of coexisting with nature. So, next time you’re cramming for an exam or heading for a midnight snack run, spare a thought for el erizo (that’s Spanish for the hedgehog!) – the underappreciated, unassuming, and utterly adorable member of your campus community.

Remember, it’s not just our campus. It’s theirs too!

Much love,

The Hedgehog Friendly Campus Student Campaign 23-24 Team Members

Sources:

Cambridge Hedgehogs:

https://www.cambridgehedgehogs.org/help-your-local-hedgehogs/dangers-to-hedgehogs/

Hedgehog Care 101:

https://hedgehogcare101.com/15-things-that-pose-a-threat-to-hedgehogs-keep-them-away/

Hedgehog Street City of Wildlife:

https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Hedgehogs-and-development-PUBLIC-ADVICE-Aug-20.pdf

Queen Mary University of London:

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/about/sustainability/sustainability-news/articles/helping-hedgehogs-on-campus.html

Shropshire Wildlife Trust:

https://www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-06/Why%20are%20hedgehogs%20in%20trouble.pdf

University of Warwick Science Park:

https://www.warwicksciencepark.co.uk/from-hedgelaying-to-hedgehogs-wildlife-enhancing-projects-on-campus/

Warwick sustainability:

https://warwick.ac.uk/sustainability/news-events/news/?newsItem=8a17841b87473ff601874bb42d0b05b9

Wildlife Online:

https://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/questions/answer/what-impacts-do-roads-have-on-hedgehogs#:~:text=The%20result%20is%20a%20final,roads%20in%20Britain%20every%20year.

Woodland Trust:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2018/08/what-is-habitat-fragmentation-and-what-does-it-mean-for-our-wildlife/