Every year as autumn rolls around, adorable little hedgehogs warn us they’re busy fattening up for winter hibernation. But this year, animal rescuers across the UK are voicing their concerns as abnormal climate patterns make it harder for these prickly mammals to bulk up before the chills of winter arrive.
Rachel Thomas, co-founder of the Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue Centre based in Rutland, emphasizes the importance of patience during this time of year. "Quite often people get worried about their garden hedgehogs not being big enough and fat enough to survive hibernation," she explains. "The weather is a little bit all over the place, and certainly there are changes in weather patterns, so the idea of a hedgehog being underweight or too small, is something we don't really want people to start worrying about yet in October or even November, because there's still plenty of time for the hedgehogs to put on sufficient fat to get through a hibernation period—if, in fact, they even have one."
Interestingly, some hedgehogs don’t hibernate at all; they might remain active or enter periods of torpor, depending on the climate and food availability. This changing behavior, influenced directly by climate variability, has sparked increased dialogue about the declining health of the species. If large numbers of hedgehogs fail to gain enough weight, it could threaten their survival rates come winter.
The risk these delightful creatures face has been compounded by their listing on the Mammal Society's red list for British mammals at risk of extinction, listed back in 2020. Fortunately, there has been some good news as the public reports more sightings of hedgehogs this year than previously recorded. This spike is heartening but also raises questions; are hedgehogs simply becoming braver or are they finding fewer safe havens due to habitat loss?
Every sighting of hedgehogs during daylight hours remains concerning, except, as Ms. Thomas points out, if the hedgehog is pregnant, marking it as a proper exception to the rule. "By picking them up and weighing them, even though your intentions come from the right place, you can cause a lot of stress, which then can lead to the animal having additional issues," she cautions.
It’s worth noting the public's role during this time. Noticing hedgehogs roaming around unexpectedly could indicate something amiss. Ms. Thomas recommends only contacting specialists for help when hedgehogs are seen during the day. She adds, "People love their hedgehogs—they're Britain's favorite mammal! But we also want to make sure we're not interfering with them. Especially now, as we prepare for the colder months, it's about balance."
Meanwhile, as the weather cools, there are other preparations being made outside of hedgehog care. Gritters across Wiltshire are gearing up for winter, testing their vehicles and ensuring they are ready for whatever Mother Nature throws their way. Wiltshire Council recently announced its winter maintenance plans, which include running vehicles named Thaw Enforcement, Usain Salt, and Sir David Attenburrrr. Sounds fitting for those chilly roads!
Councilor Nick Holder confirmed, "There are 24 gritters on standby, strategically located around the county, ready to take action." With last winter seeing crews deployed 46 times and distributing around five thousand tonnes of salt over 34,500 miles of roads, the preparations are significant. The council currently has 12,000 tonnes of salt stored away, prepared for those frosty nights when roads could turn slick.
"When the weather drops below zero, we focus on A and B roads as these are primary routes," Holder said. He also reminded residents not to assume any road has been treated with salt, encouraging them to drive safely and cautiously during winter.
Winter isn’t just about road safety; it can also amplify existing problems such as potholes. Wiltshire Council has warned residents of the increase they typically see as the colder months set in. They noted this upsurge is cyclical, perfectly timed with autumn's transition as the cold settles and existing road cracks widen and deepen.
All these elements—the hedgehogs hurriedly stocking up, the gritters preparing for icy roads, and the inevitable rising number of potholes—come together as reminders of the rhythm of seasonal change. With autumn's chill moving through and winter fast approaching, it brings to light how interconnected nature is with our daily lives.
Both wildlife enthusiasts and those responsible for road safety must stay vigilant as the months change; after all, many barometers for both nature and infrastructure are about to be tested this winter. Whether it’s making sure our lovely hedgehogs make it through another frosty season or ensuring our roads remain navigable, these preparations speak volumes about our collective responsibility.
So, the next time you spot a hedgehog waddling through your garden or see gritting crews sharpening their tools, you’ll know it’s all part of the great dance of nature and human intervention as we all brace for the winter months. With hedgehogs' futures resting on nature’s fickle whims, there’s much at stake during these months. Winter is coming, and we’re all part of the ecosystem, our actions reverberate through it—both for the hedgehogs and for our roadways.
