Where did all the hedgehogs go?

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Wed 03 Sep, 2014 1:36 am

I've noticed that I've not seen a hedgehog either dead or alive for years now. I'm lucky enough to live in a part of north west Leeds where we see dozens of foxes, bats, owls, herons, kites etc but recently I've seen no hedgehogs whatsoever and I wondered what the situation was in other parts of Leeds.

sparky415 · Post by **sparky415** » Wed 03 Sep, 2014 9:31 am

I actually took a pic of one two nights ago at the University fields at weetwood. I think they are becoming rare due tot he overuse of slug pellets. Slugs being their staple diet. Once saw a pair of hedgehogs mating and the noise was mental!

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 03 Sep, 2014 12:51 pm

Hi jon. By coincidence I happened to recently mention to a neighbour the lack of hedgehogs dead or alive. That even dead ones on roads seem to be uncommon now (at least in the areas I see) is a clear indication that their numbers have seriously dropped. This hedgehog related SL thread may be of interest:- http://www.secretleeds.com/forum/Messag ... adID=2938I like hedgehogs and miss seeing them around. I used to see one, occasionally two, in dusk/night locally but have not done so for a few years.

Riponian · Post by **Riponian** » Wed 03 Sep, 2014 3:03 pm

Plenty of them up here, although I do see them in the mornings and evenings - or rather the dog does. Maybe they've learnt to stay away from roads.

hyperion · Post by **hyperion** » Wed 03 Sep, 2014 7:00 pm

Hi jonleedsI'm really surprised at your comments, I've lived in my present house for twenty five years, and I have had hedgehogs in my garden every year. some times very healthy hogs and some times ones with genetic defects. This year out of the five visitors one has a back leg missing (genetic ?) and one that walks like a drunken man,the one in the picture

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 03 Sep, 2014 7:29 pm

That's a cute photo Hyperion. I particularly like the sparrow and hedgehog eating the food together. You mention possible genetic defects in hedgehogs. That reminds me of those pigeons still seen in the centre of Leeds that have deformed feet. I recall this was raised in the Yorkshire Evening Post a few years back and it was suggested that the deformatives were due to chemical damage on contact with lime being put down where pigeons perch or nest, to get rid of the pigeons. The use of that was though denied. I always did (and still do) think that a chemical effect was unlikely as all pigeons would be affected. That it may be a genetic defect, possibly due to inbreeding, seems likely to me. I wonder if that may be the case for at least some 'deformed' hedgehogs?

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Thu 04 Sep, 2014 10:45 pm

A mate of mine has a family of hedgehogs living in his garden.Given the apparent shortage elsewhere, perhaps he's hogging the hedgehogs?

anthonydna · Post by **anthonydna** » Thu 04 Sep, 2014 11:22 pm

Hedgehogs, why not just share the hedge ?I'm here all week, try the fish.

WiggyDiggy · Post by **WiggyDiggy** » Fri 05 Sep, 2014 1:26 pm

You can build a hedgehog house if you like, my friend made one and its pretty simple. Got occupied within 24hrs as well (-:

j.c.d. · Post by **j.c.d.** » Fri 05 Sep, 2014 2:20 pm

[quotenick="sparky diet. Once saw a pair of hedgehogs mating and the noise was mental! When you think about it it is hardly surprising !!!.