The hedgehog surely has to be everybody's favourite mammal - quite unlike any other native animal in its spiky, spiny, snuffly way; cute and grumpy at the same time; the gardener's friend; Beatrix Potter's classic Mrs Tiggy-winkle (whose obsession with laundry is not at all typical of the real animal).
The hedgehog also used to be our most familiar mammal, but numbers have fallen drastically in recent years, not just in Surrey, but all across the UK and large parts of Europe: the Western European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) has moved from 'Least Concern' to 'Near Threatened' on the IUCN Red List. While many lay the blame on badgers, it is likely that the main impact comes from habitat loss and agricultural practices.
For excellent information on hedgehogs & how to help them in your own gardening habits, go no further than Hedgehog Street. For a hedgehog house blueprint, check out this Surrey Wildlife Trust page.
