Britain's Indian summer sparks fears for thousands of baby hedgehogs

THOUSANDS of baby hedgehogs could die this winter as Britain’s Indian summer has given them insufficient time to fatten up for hibernation, a charity has warned.

Hedgehogs have dropped from a healthy 30million to barely ONE MILLION, it has emerged Hedgehogs have dropped from a healthy 30million to barely ONE MILLION, it has emerged [GETTY]

The mild weather has meant exceptionally dry soil, resulting in fewer worms and insects that would normally provide the bulk of the animals' diet.

This saw many of the year's early litters dying, while the extended heatwave led to breeding hedgehogs having three litters rather than the usual two.

The remaining young now need to reach their optimum weight of 600g to make it through until next year and more than 80 per cent of are expected to die.

Freddie, aged 4 from Surbiton, helps feed baby hedgehogs with B&Q’s ‘hedgehog drive-thru’Freddie, aged 4 from Surbiton, helps feed baby hedgehogs with B&Q’s ‘hedgehog drive-thru’ [PH]

The number of hedgehogs in the UK has dropped from 30million to less than one million

Simon Cowell, founder of the Wildlife Aid Foundation

The approach of Bonfire Night is also a cause for concern, as many hedgehogs will perish after seeking shelter in piles of fire wood.

Homeowners are being urged to prepare their gardens by offering extra food and shelter for the late litter of hoglets.

B&Q are working with the Wildlife Aid Foundation to raise awareness of the problem and encourage people to build feeding stations and hedgehog boxes.

Simon Cowell, founder of the Wildlife Aid Foundation, said the population of hedgehogs in the UK has dropped by more than 95 per cent over the last 50 years.

He said: "The number of hedgehogs in the UK has dropped from 30million to less than one million.

"We have been campaigning for the survival of hedgehogs for years as we know how important it is to act quickly and not turn a blind eye.

"We fully support B&Q in their mission to show people how to do their bit by building hedgehog houses and feeding them."

The DIY chain has created a hedgehog "drive-thru" offering mealworms as a way to illustrate the features feeding stations need to have.

 People are being urged to offer the creatures food and shelter in their gardens [ PH]

These include a door measuring 12cm x 12cm which is large enough for hedgehogs but not for predators such as cats, foxes or badgers.

A B&Q spokesman, said: "Winter is just around the corner and we need to look at ways to help the wildlife in our garden.

"Domestic gardens cover a greater area than all the nature reserves in the UK combined, so people can really make an impact on the UK's hedgehog population.

"Building a hedgehog house is just one thing you can do to help - take a look online at some of our step-by-step guides to see how you can make your garden more welcoming to wildlife this winter."

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