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Hedgehog Awareness Week is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of hedgehogs and promoting efforts to protect them. During this week, various organisations, wildlife enthusiasts, and individuals come together to educate the public about hedgehog conservation and share tips on how to create hedgehog-friendly environments in gardens and urban areas.

By spreading awareness about hedgehog conservation, people are encouraged to take action to support these beloved creatures and contribute to their survival. Whether it's providing hedgehog-friendly spaces in gardens, avoiding the use of chemicals harmful to hedgehogs, or participating in community efforts to protect their habitats, everyone can play a part in ensuring the well-being of hedgehog populations.

10 Hedgehog Facts

1. Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. They spend their days sleeping in nests or burrows and come out at dusk to forage for food.
   
2. When scared or threatened, hedgehogs curl into a tight ball, covering their vulnerable underside with their spiky exterior. This behavior, known as "balling up," helps protect them from predators.
   
3. Did you know hedgehogs have between 5,000 and 7,000 spines covering their backs, that is a lot of spikes!
   
4. Hedgehogs are opportunistic feeders and have a varied diet that includes insects, worms, slugs, snails, small mammals, frogs, fruit, and plants. They use their keen sense of smell to locate prey.
   
5. In colder regions, hedgehogs hibernate during the winter months to conserve energy when food is scarce. They build up fat reserves in preparation for hibernation and may sleep for several months.
   
6. In the wild, hedgehogs typically live for 2 to 5 years, although some may live longer in favorable conditions. In captivity, they can live up to 10 years or more with proper care.
   
7. Fun fact, despite their spiky appearance, hedgehogs are very good swimmers and can swim across small ponds or other areas of water if necessary.
   
8. Hedgehogs are generally solitary animals and prefer to live alone, except during the breeding season when males seek out females.
   
9. Hedgehogs communicate through a variety of sounds, including snuffling, grunting, and hissing. They also use scent marking to establish territories and communicate with other hedgehogs.
   
10. Hedgehog populations have been declining in many parts of the world due to habitat loss, road accidents, pesticide use, and other factors. Conservation efforts are underway to protect hedgehog habitats and raise awareness about their conservation needs.

Here's how you can help

1. Create hedgehog-friendly habitats in your garden by leaving areas wild, providing shelter like log piles or hedgehog houses, and avoiding the use of chemicals.
   
2. Install hedgehog highways by creating small holes or gaps in fences to allow hedgehogs to move freely between gardens.
   
3. Provide food and water for hedgehogs, such as wet cat or dog food, or specialized hedgehog food, and ensure there's a shallow dish of water available.
   
4. Check bonfires before lighting them, as hedgehogs may seek refuge in them.
   
5. Be cautious when using garden machinery or strimmers, especially during the breeding season, to avoid harming hedgehogs.
   
6. Support hedgehog rescue and rehabilitation centers by donating, volunteering, or raising awareness about their work.
   
7. Educate others about the importance of hedgehog conservation and how they can help protect these charismatic creatures.