Hedgie the Hedgehog

little cute hedgehog in the garden in the green grass

WHAT WE DO

At Nova Hedgehogs, we rescue and rehabilitate injured, sick and orphaned hedgehogs, helping them recover safely before they are released back into the wild.
Our staff and trained volunteers provide essential hedgehog care, including veterinary support, food, clean water and safe shelter. We treat injuries, support underweight hedgehogs as they regain strength, care for orphaned hoglets and closely monitor each hedgehog until they are healthy enough to survive independently.
Alongside our rescue and rehabilitation work, we also help educate the public about hedgehog protection. We offer advice on how to make gardens safer for hedgehogs, how to support local wildlife and what to do if you find a hedgehog that may be injured, unwell or in need of help.

Help give a hedgehog a second chance by supporting our adoption programme.

How to help them

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To attract hedgehogs, put out a shallow bowl of fresh water and meaty wet or dry cat food (or specially made hedgehog food) in a quiet area of your garden at dusk, when they are most active. Create safe shelter with a hedgehog house, a pile of leaves, or logs where they can rest and hibernate. Leave a small gap under your fence so they can move between gardens, avoid using pesticides, and never give them milk or bread, as these can make them sick.

How to build a hedgehog home

You can build a hedgehog home by using a sturdy wooden box with a small entrance (about 13 × 13 cm), a waterproof roof, and ventilation holes. Place it in a quiet, shaded part of your garden, hidden under bushes or against a hedge. Fill it with dry leaves, straw, or hay to keep it warm and comfortable, and avoid disturbing it once a hedgehog has moved in.

Keeping a safe environment

To keep a safe environment for hedgehogs, make your garden as natural and hazard-free as possible. Avoid using pesticides and slug pellets, as these can poison hedgehogs and reduce their food supply. Leave piles of leaves, logs, and wild areas for shelter, and provide a shallow bowl of fresh water. Check carefully before mowing long grass, using strimmers, or lighting bonfires, as hedgehogs may be hiding underneath. If you have a pond, add a gentle slope or ramp so hedgehogs can climb out if they fall in.

1-2 Miles ( 2km)

Can travel per night

5700

Spines on an adult hedgehogs body

10cm

the length of a hedgehogs legs

All About Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are nocturnal	Hedgehogs are mostly active at night, which is when they search for food and explore their local area.
Baby hedgehogs are called hog-lets	Hedgehog babies are known as hog-lets and are usually born during the warmer months.
Hedgehogs hibernate	Hedgehogs usually hibernate during the colder months when food is harder to find.

They eat insects and invertebrates	Hedgehogs naturally feed on beetles, worms, caterpillars and other small invertebrates.
They can travel a long way	Hedgehogs can roam up to 2km in one night, which is why connected gardens and safe routes are so important.
They have a strong sense of smell	Hedgehogs use their sense of smell to find food and detect danger.
They need access between gardens	Hedgehog highways, such as small gaps in fences, help them move safely between gardens.
Hedgehogs need water	Leaving out a shallow dish of fresh water can help hedgehogs, especially during dry weather.

They should not be given milk	Hedgehogs should not be given milk, as it can make them unwell. Fresh water is much safer.
They are vulnerable to garden hazards	Ponds, netting, strimmers, bonfires, pesticides and busy roads can all be dangerous for hedgehogs.
They are in decline	Hedgehogs in Britain have seen long-term declines, with rural populations particularly affected.
Gardens can make a big difference	Wildlife-friendly gardens with log piles, long grass, leaf litter and safe access routes can help hedgehogs survive.

HEDGEHOGS SEEKING A HOME

Adopt a hedgehog and help support their journey back to the wild.

At Nova Hedgehogs, every hedgehog in our care has its own story. Some arrive injured, some are underweight, and others are orphaned and need round-the-clock support. By adopting one of our hedgehogs, you are helping to fund the food, shelter, veterinary care and rehabilitation they need to recover safely.

Your adoption helps us continue our rescue work while giving you the chance to follow the progress of a hedgehog in our care. Each hedgehog has their own name, personality and little facts, so you can learn more about them and the important work that goes into helping them return to the wild.

cute-baby-hedgehog-closeup-grass-with-black-background

HERBIE

Personality: Shy but adventurous

Favourite snack: Caterpillars and slugs

Often spotted: Around leaf piles and garden borders

MALE

ADOPT

cute-baby-hedgehog-closeup-wood-with-black-background

BRAMBLE

Personality: Bold and busy

Favourite snack: Earwigs, beetles and worms

Often spotted: Near fence gaps and hedgehog highways

MALE

ADOPT

Small african hedgehog pet on green grass outdoors on summer day. Keeping domestic animals and caring for pets concept.

FANG

Personality: Curious and confident

Favourite snack: Beetles and worms

Often spotted: Near hedges, flower beds and compost areas

MALE

ADOPT

Cute happy wild hedgehog lying on soft blanket and smiling on a white background. Prickly animal resting and posing on bed. Protection and domestication of forest animals. Space for text. Copy space.

BISCUIT

Personality: Quiet and gentle

Favourite snack: Insects and grubs

Often spotted: In wild garden corners and under shrubs

FEMALE

ADOPT

SPROUT

Personality: Gentle and calm

Favourite snack: Beetles

Often spotted: Near water bowls and shelter

FEMALE

ADOPT

A young hedgehog with blueberries on a wooden floor.

HEDGEY

Personality: Lively and playful

Favourite snack: Worms

Often spotted: Along hedgerows

MALE

ADOPT

All About Hedgehogs

Order: Eulipotyphla

Family: Erinaceidae

Species: 17 species exist

IUCN Red List Status: UK: Vulnerable; Global: Least Concern Population trend: falling in UK.

Distribution: widespread, from Britain and rest of Europe, except the far north, across to Russia. Absent from most Scottish islands. Introduced to New Zealand.

Habitat: mainly woodland habitats, hedgerows, fields, parks, town and country gardens.

Description: distinctive spiny coat; long, coarse hair on face and underparts.

Size: length:- 20 – 30 cm.

Weight: average 700g.

Life-span: can live up to 6 years.

Food: slugs, snails, caterpillars, beetles, earthworms, birds’ eggs; sometimes frogs, snakes and carrion.

Things to know before adopting a hedgehog

Adoption is usually symbolic. You are supporting the care of a rescued hedgehog, not taking a wild hedgehog home as a pet.
Hedgehogs are wild animals. They need specialist care, quiet handling and the right environment before they can return to the wild.
Your adoption helps cover care costs. This may include food, bedding, medication, veterinary care, heating and safe shelter.
Not every hedgehog’s journey is the same. Some may recover quickly, while others need longer-term care before release.
You may receive updates, but the hedgehog’s welfare comes first. Rescue teams may not be able to provide constant updates if they are busy caring for animals.
Hedgehogs should not be fed milk or bread. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and should only be offered fresh water, meaty cat or dog food, dry cat biscuits or specialist hedgehog food.
Safe gardens make a big difference. Shallow water dishes, hedgehog highways, log piles and checking for hazards such as netting can all help protect local hedgehogs.
If you find a sick or injured hedgehog, get advice quickly. The RSPCA advises contacting a vet or local wildlife rescue if a hedgehog is injured or you are concerned about it