Cameras hidden in gardens show the lives of hedgehogs after dark
A study has given an insight into the lives of hedgehogs in Britain’s gardens and how vital these spaces can be to their survival.
In one of the largest studies of its kind, researchers analyzed thousands of images from cameras placed in the gardens of 415 volunteers across Cheshire to examine how often hedgehogs were spotted and which features most influenced their visits.
As hedgehog numbers decline across Europe as a result of habitat loss and increased roadkill, the study wanted to find out how the nocturnal animals eat during these garden visits.
Researchers from Nottingham Trent University and Chester Zoo believe urban habitats are becoming increasingly important to hedgehogs and insights into how they use gardens could play a key role in their conservation.
Hedgehogs were present in 57 per cent of Cheshire gardens examined; This shows that these areas are very important living spaces for them.
Food was the most important factor for their existence; Mammals were seen in 78 per cent of gardens providing hedgehog food and 53 per cent of gardens providing food for birds.
When no food was left, hedgehog presence dropped to 46 percent. Just over a quarter (28 per cent) of all gardens examined contained food left for hedgehogs.
Lead researcher Kelly Hitchcock, a PhD student at Nottingham Trent University, warned that the practice of feeding wildlife needed further study as it could lead to significant and unexpected changes in behavior and health.
He said: “The provision of supplementary food clearly plays an important role in shaping hedgehog movement and distribution.
“Despite the possible benefits of supplementary feeding, it may pose potential risks such as increased disease transmission between animals, altered hibernation behavior, increased aggression between species, and changes in the community structure of the species.”
The study also found that hedgehogs were 70 per cent more likely to be spotted in gardens where foxes had been spotted; This was probably because the chances of finding food were high.
Ms Hitchcock said: “Despite the fact that hedgehogs can be a prey species for foxes, we have seen some of this on cameras capturing footage of foxes and hedgehogs sharing food bowls.
“The potential effects of supplemental feeding certainly warrant further investigation in future studies.”
People should continue to add wildlife-friendly features to their gardens, as hedgehogs and other species will benefit, the researchers said.
“Our data will contribute to further studies, including studies examining hedgehogs, foxes and badgers,” Ms Hitchcock said.
“More research is needed and public engagement has great potential to help us understand how UK wildlife and people live together in a changing world.”
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Leah Williams, chief conservation scientist in population biology at Chester Zoo, added: “This was a fascinating and ambitious project. It is often difficult for scientists to access private gardens to collect camera trap images.
“One of the largest camera trap studies of its kind in the UK, this study provided an incredible sample size and captured magnificent photographs of garden wildlife.
“This was an extremely collaborative project and would not have been possible without the volunteers who allowed cameras into their gardens.
“We know many people are surprised to find their gardens hosting nocturnal hedgehogs, and we like to think this is a lovely way for participants to further connect with the species living just beyond their door.”
