Quck answer
Urban environments can provide a better habitat for hedgehogs that are struggling to survive in the wild. This is due to the abundance of food sources, such as insects and plants, and the lack of natural predators. However, urban areas also pose their own risks, such as traffic and the use of pesticides. To ensure the survival of hedgehogs in urban environments, it is important for people to create hedgehog-friendly gardens and avoid using harmful chemicals. Additionally, efforts should be made to connect green spaces in urban areas to allow hedgehogs to move freely and find suitable habitats.
Wild Animals
According to recent studies, hedgehogs have managed to cope well with the rapid expansion of cities. Kiriko Shirobayashi/Getty Images
As cities continue to expand, it may seem like bad news for wildlife as paved roads replace natural habitats. However, some animals have adapted to these urban environments created by humans. One such animal is the hedgehog, which has been roaming the Earth for 15 million years. Interestingly, hedgehogs are found in larger populations in urban areas compared to rural ones. The University of Hamburg conducted a study to determine the differences in hedgehog populations. Researchers fitted hedgehogs with transmitters to monitor their temperature, hibernation, nesting, and roaming.
Hedgehogs are still disturbed by human activity despite their success in cities.
James M. Turner
The study revealed that urban hedgehogs have much smaller nightly ranging areas of five hectares in comparison to fifty in rural areas. Additionally, they have adapted to human activity by adjusting their activity levels to match the levels of human disturbance. Urban hedgehogs tend to sleep during the day in quiet gardens and yards. They come out at midnight to look for food and mates when there are fewer people and pets around. However, even though the range of the urban hedgehog is smaller than its rural counterpart, hibernation patterns remain consistent. Therefore, individuals living in cities must remain aware that hedgehogs may be sleeping in underground burrows and nests.
Understanding hedgehogs is crucial to their survival as we continue to develop our cities. Unfortunately, hedgehog populations in the UK have dropped substantially due to human development, declining by half in rural areas and one third in cities since 2000. Therefore, public parks and gardens are essential for city hedgehogs as they require natural vegetation and bushy areas to survive.
Now That’s Interesting
Coyotes are another example of animals adapting to life in urban environments across the United States, and biologists are currently investigating their success in cities.
FAQ
1. What is a troubled hedgehog?
A troubled hedgehog is a hedgehog that is experiencing difficulty in finding food, shelter, or a mate. This can be due to habitat loss, urbanization, or other environmental factors.
2. How do hedgehogs fare in urban environments?
Hedgehogs actually tend to do better in urban environments than in rural ones. This is because urban areas often have more food sources, such as gardens and compost heaps, and less predation from natural predators like foxes and badgers.
3. Why are hedgehogs declining in numbers?
Hedgehogs are declining in numbers due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation. They are also impacted by road traffic, pesticides, and other environmental factors.
4. How can we help troubled hedgehogs in urban environments?
We can help troubled hedgehogs in urban environments by providing them with food and water, creating hedgehog-friendly gardens, and avoiding the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
5. What should I do if I find a troubled hedgehog?
If you find a troubled hedgehog, you should contact a local wildlife rescue center or hedgehog rehabilitation center. They can provide you with guidance on how to care for the hedgehog and where to take it for proper treatment.
6. Can hedgehogs be kept as pets?
In many countries, including the UK, it is illegal to keep hedgehogs as pets. Hedgehogs are wild animals and require specialized care and diets that cannot be provided in a domestic setting.
7. How can I make my garden hedgehog-friendly?
To make your garden hedgehog-friendly, you can provide them with shelter, such as a hedgehog house or pile of leaves, and a source of water. You should also avoid the use of pesticides and provide them with food, such as cat or dog food, or mealworms.
8. Do hedgehogs hibernate?
Yes, hedgehogs hibernate during the winter months. They will build a nest in a sheltered area and sleep through the cold weather until spring.
9. How long do hedgehogs live?
Hedgehogs typically live for 2-5 years in the wild. However, they can live up to 10 years in captivity.
10. Are hedgehogs endangered?
Hedgehogs are not currently listed as endangered on a global scale. However, their populations are declining in many parts of the world, including the UK, and they are considered vulnerable to extinction in some regions.
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