A charity claims that leaving a bowl of water for a hedgehog during hot weather could "save his life."
According to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Ludlow, Shropshire (BHPS), water and food were scarce for mammals in hot and dry conditions.
The State of Britain's Hedgehogs 2022 Report found that rural population has declined by between 30%-75% since 2000.
According to the BHPS, urban areas are beginning to stabilize as the decline is starting to slow down.
It stated that when it was hot the ground was hard, and bugs and grubs went "further into the ground", making them inaccessible.
The charity stated that hedgehogs "cannot scratch at it".
It was meant to "remind people of the importance of leaving shallow bowls full of water, such as plant saucers, out there for hedgehogs or other wildlife."
CEO Fay Vass stated that it was peak baby season and there were many hungry mouths.
She said, "Water and food are scarce for hedgehogs in hot and dry conditions. Making water available can literally save lives."
To make sure that insects escape, you can put a few pebbles into the bowl. If possible, give visiting hedgehogs meaty cat or pet food in a separate bowl.
She said that hedgehogs who are seen sunbathing in daylight were "in urgent need of help". The charity provides assistance to hedgehog owners who are sick or injured.
Ms Vass stated that it encouraged people make "hedgehog highways", which are gaps in garden fences. She also said that the message was getting across to ensure habitat is connected for wildlife.
She stated that the decline in hedgehog populations in both urban and rural areas was largely due to habitat loss.
Ms Vass stated that land that is suitable for hedgehogs cannot be joined up with other areas of land. "It doesn't provide enough habitat" to support a viable population.
"Hedgehogs can travel up to two miles per night so that's quite a number of gardens."
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