Hedgehogs now are becoming scarce. The cutting down of hedgerows, the roads and dogs all take their toll. Human intrusion upon their habitat has been the worst of all. Hedgehogs and many other animals need their own little highways where they can travel around their territory. Hedges replaced by fences stop that from happening. Many animals like the Fox and Badger will make their own way and can actually thrive around humans. My aunt has a couple of foxes who come to supper every night. At her old house she had a family of Badgers.
The hedgehog is not the same type of animal though.
Simple changes to back yards can make a big difference to these small creatures. I know people who have set up places for them to nest and breed. I found this picture of a hedgehog house.
Hedgehogs are very prickly...........one day when we were first married Gerry and I went up to Scotland, just into Scotland we didnt have time to go far. Anyway on one country road just on a bend we saw a hedgehog trying to cross the road. Because it was on a bend I figured he needed some help. It would be hard for someone coming the other way to see him. So we stopped and I tried to help him across. He rolled into a ball and was so pokey I could not pick him up. Lucky we had a blanket in the car and I was able to get him with that and put him on the other side of the road............Those spikes are really pokey.
We don't have hedgehogs in Michigan............but I know that in England and Europe there are organizations that help to save them. There are places to learn all about them and their habitats and how to help them.
http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/
This is just one place. For those who have an interest the web is a great place to start.
