We have recently uploaded videos and pictures of our local hedgehogs in the the Camera Trap Gallery. This article will provide a little information about hedgehogs, and how to attract them to your own camera traps.
Diet
Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are insectivores, which means they eat mostly insects but may eat some plants and mushrooms as well. This makes them great natural pest controllers, and a friend to any gardener! Unfortunately, other pest control methods, in particular, slug pellets can be poisonous to hedgehogs, so please consider not using them in your garden. Instead, more natural methods of slug deterrent can be used, such as broken egg shells.
Hibernation
Hedgehogs hibernate in the winter to conserve energy. In the wild, they will use piles of leaves, deadwood and plants to rest in. In gardens, they may use garden wastes piles, compost heaps, and bonfires. Please check these areas in your garden before lighting a bonfire, clearing an area, or forking over your compost, particularly over winter during hibernation. In warmer months Hedgehogs may also rest in these areas, on in more exposed areas such as under hedges. Please check long grass around trees/hedges before using a strimmer, as they can maim or kill Hedgehogs too.
You can also provide hibernation homes as well, which can be found in wildlife supply stores or made at home. They often feature a panel of wood inside that creates a sort of hallway, which protects the hibernating Hedgehog from predators such as Foxes and Badgers. Our local Hedgehog decided that the lovely home we bought was not good enough, and settled in the back corner of our garage under some old straw!
Wherever they settle it is important they are not disturbed in winter, as waking up wastes energy which they need to survive.
Camera trapping
Hedgehogs are small enough to use small mammal camera trapping tunnels, but can also be seen on unaltered camera traps positioned low to the ground (see the images below). The best bait to attract hedgehogs is mealworms, wet cat/dog food (not fish-based) or specialist hedgehog food that can be found at some wildlife food suppliers. There is a common misconception that hedgehogs like bread soaked in milk but, like most weaned mammals, they are lactose-intolerant and so cannot digest milk! Any of these baits should produce Hedgehog pictures/videos if they are in your area during the summer. During the spring and autumn they may sleep through the colder nights, so don’t be worried if your local Hedgehog stops appearing! You can camera trap for Hedgehogs from around April to November, providing temperatures stay warm.
