November 5, 2025 • 43 mins
Hello and welcome to this week's Wildlife Matters podcast. This week, we explore the complexities of hibernation.
We will investigate why certain species, including hedgehogs, employ this survival method during the cold winter months. Then, in Part Two, we offer practical advice on how to improve your garden for hedgehogs as they prepare to hibernate, emphasising the importance of creating safe habitats and reducing disturbances.
The Wildlife Matters podcast also examines the impact of Bonfire Night and fireworks on local wildlife. As the 5th of November approaches, a discussion arises about the historical origins of this event, particularly the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, which has evolved into a modern celebration that often causes distress to domestic pets and wild animals.
The episode highlights the often-overlooked effect of fireworks on wildlife, including birds, foxes, and other creatures, who suffer extreme stress from loud noises and bright lights. To reduce such disturbances, the hosts suggest several measures to protect wildlife during this festive period, such as choosing public firework displays over private bonfires.
They encourage creating safer environments by providing shelters for animals and advise against building bonfires in gardens where wildlife might seek refuge. This segment reminds us of our duty to the natural world and the importance of coexisting peacefully with wildlife during celebrations.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:24):
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters podcast.
As we release this episode,it's the 5th of November, so we'll
take a look at the impacts ofBonfire Night and fireworks on wildlife
and nature.
And for the first time, wehave a two part Wildlife Matters
main feature looking at hibernation.
(00:47):
In part one, we'll discuss whysome animals employ this or similar
winter survival strategies.
And in part two, we'll take alook at what you consider do to help
hedgehogs hibernating this winter.
This week's Wildlife Mattersmindful moment.
It's close to home for us asit was recorded at dusk in our garden.
(01:10):
But first, let's take a lookat the wildlife and nature stories
that have caught our attentionin this week's Wildlife Matters Nature
News.
Foreign welcome to this week'sWildlife Matters nature news.
(01:38):
Over 400 years after thefailed gunpowder plot, November 5th
remains an essential date inBritain, commonly known as Bonfire
Night.
But why do we celebrate afailed plot from centuries ago?
On 5 November 1604, 36 barrelsof gunpowder were discovered at the
(01:59):
palace of Westminster and aman named John Johnson was arrested.
Under torture, he revealed histrue identity as Guy Fawkes, one
of the conspirators aiming tospark an uprising, blowing up Parliament
and its leaders, including the King.
But today, Bonfire Nightcelebrations have evolved as many
(02:22):
more of us have pets and cansee the impact on them from the noise
of fireworks.
However, have you stopped tothink about wildlife for one moment?
From the garden birds to localfoxes, badgers and bats, the sound
of fireworks and the sight andsmell of fire are terrifying.
They will run for cover, oftengoing without food or drink.
(02:45):
And some may choose to hide inthat big pile of wood in the local
green space or in your back garden.
So at Wildlife Matters, wehave put together some tips to help
you protect all wildlife thisBonfire Night.
Lots of animals hibernate inNovember, and a large pile of sticks,
(03:06):
wood and garden waste oftenseems like the perfect spot for them
to sleep through winter.
The best way to protectwildlife on Bonfire Night is to avoid
having a bonfire at home altogether.
Why not check out the publicbonfire event in your community instead?
You can still make a log pilein your garden, but instead of setting
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it on fire, leave it for thebugs, lizards and other small animals
to shelter through the winter in.
And if you choose to have abonfire in your garden, there are
steps that you can take toreduce the chances of harming your
local wildlife.
First, one, build your bonfire.
On the day many people pile uptheir garden waste over the weeks
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leading up to bonfire nightand then set it on fire on the day.
And this is terrible news forhedgehogs and other animals who have
chosen to shelter inside.
By building your bonfire justbefore you light it, you will know
that no animals are shelteringinside of it.
Take apart your bonfire beforeyou light it.
(04:12):
Just suppose you've beenbuilding your bonfire over the days
and weeks leading up tobonfire night.
In that case, you shoulddisassemble and rebuild it just before
lighting it to ensure there isno wildlife inside.
If you do find wildlifeinside, carefully move it to a quiet
sheltered spot in your garden,such as a pile of twigs or your compost
(04:36):
bin.
Build your bonfire away from trees.
Bonfires can easily spread tooverhanging trees, harming the tree
and any wildlife that sheltersin it, such as birds.
Once a fire has spread to atree, it could then spread to your
neighbor's garden and even toyour home.
Clear the ground of leavesbefore building your bonfire.
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You should build your bonfireon clear ground, removing any leaves
or other materials that couldprovide shelter for wildlife.
By raking these leaves awayand placing them in your compost
bin or in a quieter corner ofyour garden, you can allow any sheltering
animals like caterpillars, tocontinue hibernation.
(05:19):
Light your bonfire from one side.
By lighting your bonfire fromone side instead of from the centre,
you give hibernating animalsthe chance to escape.
You should still build yourbonfire on the day, though, to avoid
putting sheltering animalsthrough the stress of waking up to
find their home is on fire.
You should always keep waternearby in a bucket or if possible,
(05:44):
through a hose so that you canquickly put the fire out in an emergency.
If you have pets, you mayalready be aware that fireworks can
be terrifying for them.
Like our pets, wild animalsare also scared by the noise of fireworks.
Wildlife Matters recommendsthat instead of setting off your
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own fireworks that youconsider attending a public firework
display or enjoying thefireworks from your window or garden.
By reducing the number ofindividuals setting off fireworks,
you will help decrease thedisturbance to wildlife caused by
the noise and lessen theplastic and air pollution generated
(06:24):
by the fireworks.
You should always avoidsetting off fireworks near wildlife.
Not only is it illegal todisturb certain animals such as barn
owls and bats, but it is alsocruel and insane sensitive to other
sentient beings.
Always remember, if wildlifeis nearby, don't set off fireworks.
(06:46):
Make the responsible choicefor the well being of our natural
world.
Our second story highlights aconservation success in Wales, as
the Beaver Viewing Centre hasbeen approved.
Following the designation ofbeavers as a protected species in
Wales, plans are underway toconstruct a beaver observatory, the
(07:07):
Cause Duvvy Nature Reserve inDerwentfleugh near Machalinnis, after
Powys Council grantedpermission based on an application
from the MontgomeryshireWildlife Trust.
Beavers became extinct inWales shortly after the Middle Ages
due to over hunting for theirfur, meat and scent glands.
(07:29):
By the end of the 16th 16thcentury they have become extinct
in the wild across Britain.
However, in recent times thespecies has reemerged in fenced enclosures
or reserves or has beendiscovered living in rivers due to
unlicensed releases and escapes.
The proposal for the courseDovey includes the construction of
(07:50):
an observation building,broadwalk access and a feeding station
that will feature a rampleading to the water.
Building will be elevatedabove ground level, equipped with
solar panels on its roof andit will consist of a single room
with seating.
The Montgomeryshire WildlifeTrust has committed to regularly
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monitoring the enclosure inaccordance with its license from
Natural Resources WalesPlanning officer Aled Williams stated
that although the site islocated within a flood zone, it is
not considered that theproposed works would cause any flooding
implications and it is not avulnerable development.
Wildlife charities are callingfor the formal reintroduction of
(08:33):
beavers into the wild as theycan help mitigate the climate crisis
and enhance water quality.
Beavers are known as akeystone species and they play a
crucial role in enrichingbiodiversity by restoring and managing
river and wetland ecosystem systems.
A new project from the WelshWildlife Trust aims to support reintroduction
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efforts by utilising beavermanagement strategies that have already
been successfully implementedin Scotland and Devon.
And our third story is fromone of our listeners, Phi Wharton
from the Leicestershire andRutland Wildlife Trust.
We've called it One Woman, AnOsprey and A Story of Two Continents.
(09:15):
Phi's journey began when shewas asked to develop a community
species recovery pilot projectas part of a river restoration initiative
specifically focusing on thewhite letter hairstreak butterfly.
She had her concerns becauseshe knew that the community engagement
comes not from directingpeople on what to do, but from understanding
(09:38):
what they want to do.
The first step is to capturetheir interest and engage them in
the project.
As she had anticipated, thelocal communities showed little interest
in the white letter hairstreet butterfly or indeed in planting
disease resistant elms to helpattract them.
Fee realized that localresidents were not sharing their
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stories about nature and wildlife.
In fact, these topics rankedsolo on their list of priorities,
if they were even consideredat all.
But in Leicester, a city richin migration stories, diverse cultures
and resilience, an idea beganto take shape.
What if the key was not justwildlife, but the parallels between
(10:25):
people's stories and journeysand those of the wildlife themselves?
With this in mind, Fee inviteda group of local Leicester residents
to Rutland Water to meet Maya,one of the resident ospreys that
spends her summers there.
Maya is an experiencedperformer whose nest has been monitored
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by webcams for several yearsnow, and her remarkable annual journey
to and from Africa is followedby hundreds of people.
By sheer coincidence, thatday, all 12 people who attended were
from Africa.
The beauty of that experiencewas that they understood Maia's story
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and saw similaritiesreflecting their own journeys in
her flight, resilience andreturn, and they sat in silence as
they absorbed Maya'sincredible story.
Later that afternoon, in oneof the hides at Rutland Water, they
expanded the conversation toinclude swifts, the high silhouettes
(11:28):
that swooped through theLeicestershire during the summer.
Many in the group recognizedthe sights and sounds of the swifts,
but did not know their name orthat they shared an exciting backstory.
As they learned about theswifts remarkable lives, their migration
patterns, their decline andthe simple actions that could be
(11:48):
taken to help, a sense ofwonder filled the room.
Ideas and plans emerged on howthey as a community, could support
the swifts and other forms of wildlife.
And this is where the projecttruly began, not focusing on elm
trees for butterflies, but on swifts.
Soon they were busy installingswift boxes and sound callers on
(12:12):
mosques, churches, temples andcommunity halls.
And now the seasonal swiftshave plenty of options to build their
nests and raise record numbersof chicks each year in Rutland.
This is the kind of positivenews and success story that we love
to share from our listeners onthe Wildlife Matters podcast.
(12:35):
So if you do have a storyyou'd like to share with us, please
do get in touch.
You'll find our contactdetails in the show.
Notes that has been thisweek's Wildlife Matters Nature News.
(13:01):
We hope our Bonfire Night tipsmake this Bonfire night a safer one
for people and wildlife around Britain.
Please share them with anyoneyou know hosting a bonfire group
this week we were thrilled toshare the exciting news from Wales
we where people will soon beable to observe wild beavers at a
(13:21):
nature reserve.
And we were fortunate to spenda night watching wild beavers in
Devon, which if you missed it,you can catch it up in series six,
episode three from June 2024.
And it was great to feature alistener's story on this week's Wildlife
(13:42):
Matters Nature News and wewould love to share many more.
So please, if you have astory, share it with us.
You can record your own storyor send us a written version.
You will find our emailaddress in the Show Notes now it's
time for you to join me in theback garden, a small haven for local
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wildlife, to listen to thesounds of the garden at dusk on this
week's Wildlife MattersMindful Moments.
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It's It's I hope you enjoyedthe snuffling and the sniffling of
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our local hedgehogs as theycame to feast on their cat biscuits
and water just before dusk onan early autumn evening.
We have seen five at one timebefore, but tonight it was three
A female, a young adult, andthen a little later a large male
who we call Alfie, a regularvisitor to the garden.
(16:04):
Live hedgehog snuffles on thisweek's Wildlife Matters Mindful Moments.
Now join us for the first timefor a two part Wildlife Matters main
feature as we ask what ishibernation and why do some wild
animals choose this to survive winter?
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Before we take a deeper lookat hedgehog hibernation and what
you can do to help them inyour garden or local green space
this winter.
Hello, welcome to the firstpart of two main features this week.
That's the first on theWildlife Matters podcast, the first
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part we are talkinghibernation and why some animals
use that strategy for winter survival.
You may have heard abouthibernation and be familiar with
some of the wildlife thathibernates in Britain.
But what are the differencesbetween hibernation, aestivation,
torpor and which animalsactually hibernate?
(17:12):
In simple terms, many of usthink that hibernating animals go
to sleep in the autumn andwake up in the spring in time for
the warmer weather.
But there's so much more tohibernation than that.
There are different states ofhibernation in hot or cold environments,
each with variable functions,durations and dangers to the animals
(17:36):
who use this strategy.
Hibernation is a survivalstrategy employed by many wild animals,
including butterflies andbats, to endure cold, dark winters
without needing to search forfood or migrate to warmer locations.
During hibernation, theseanimals lower their metabolisms to
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conserve energy, so it'simportant to know that hibernation
is much more than just sleeping.
Depending on the species, thestate of hibernation can vary from
prolonged deep unconsciousnessto short periods of inactivity.
However, hibernation comeswith its risks.
Animals in a dormant state arevulnerable to predators and to unpredictable
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weather.
So which animals hibernate?
Well, small mammals such asdormice, hedgehogs and bats.
Also many insects, amphibiansand reptiles.
Do all of Britain's mammals hibernate?
No.
There are only three types ofanimals in Britain that are true
hibernators, which are thedormouse, the hedgehog and.
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And bats.
It isn't a very long list andsome omissions might surprise some
people.
What about mice and voles, for example?
Are they active and alert all winter?
And squirrels?
Well, they just don't stay awake.
They actually breed in January.
Shrews should be the perfect candidates.
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They're small and fast moving,with bodies that lose heat rapidly,
a high metabolic rate andinsectivorous diet.
But in winter, they simplysleep for longer, hunt mostly underground
and rarely, if ever, dependingon the species, go torpid.
They don't hibernate.
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In the autumn, all thebreeding adults die off, so that
the year's youngsters are leftto carry on the generations.
At the other end of the scale,the badger enters into a state known
as winter lethargy.
Between November and February,it spends most of its time underground,
gaining weight, and its bodytemperature may drop.
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But that isn't hibernation.
Some insects, includingbutterflies, ladybirds and some of
the bee species, survive thewinter in their adult stage.
Among Britain's butterflies,nine species hibernate as eggs, 32
as caterpillars and 11 aspupae, and just six as adults.
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The adult hibernating speciesinclude the brimstone red admiral,
the small tortoiseshell commapeacock and the rare Camberwell beauty.
In the case of butterflies,overwintering teeters between simple
torpor and diapause.
However, the insect appearsoutwardly to be an adult, but it
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may not yet be reproductively mature.
All these adult insects areliable to be roused by unseasonably
sunny days.
It isn't unusual for peacockbutterflies to be spotted flying
around Christmas and New Yearin gardens, with newspapers subsequently
reporting on such activities.
And you might also findbutterflies on the move inside a
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house where warm centralheating has roused them from their
hiding place.
Once again, this is neitherunusual nor necessarily a problem
for the butterfly, or indeedfor you.
The subsequent drop intemperature may send them back into
cover again to resume their dormancy.
However, there can be a shadowto sunny winter day forays.
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A short arousal from torporwon't necessarily harm a butterfly
directly, but the costs of theenergy expended in flying about and
looking for a new hibernationsite may cause its stress, or later
on, it might run out of itsfat reserves and then die before
spring.
So which Reptiles andamphibians hibernate in the uk.
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Well, frogs, toads and newtsall change their behaviour as soon
as the frosts start.
From around October, allretreat to secluded spots on land
away from direct exposure tothe elements.
That could be under logs orpiles of stones, inside a hole in
the ground, or indeed in acompost heap.
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The latter are particularlyfavored by slow worms, often in groups.
While other lizards hibernatealone in small hollows, Natterjack
toads bury themselves into thesand, while all British snakes select
sites such as disused rabbitburrows for communal quarters, which
are known as hibernacula.
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On occasion, toads, newts andlizards, and sometimes even snakes
will all gravitate to the same hollow.
All of these exothermicvertebrates can be roused by warm
winter days.
Frogs may hunt for food andsnakes bask in the weak sunshine.
The common frog is uniqueamongst amphibians because adult
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males will often hibernate inthe mud at the bottom of ponds during
the winter.
They can breathe by exchanginggases through their skin rather than
using their lungs.
Since they remain inactiveduring this time, they consume very
little energy.
This arrangement works well inmost winters.
However, it can be fatal ifthe pond freezes over completely.
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Mammals prepare forhibernation by feeding heavily in
late summer and autumn,storing fat to see them through the
winter months.
But hibernation can bedangerous to them too.
Animals may die duringhibernation due to a lack of fat
reserves, severe weatherconditions or premature awakening
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from hibernation.
Plus they can all bevulnerable to predation.
The longest period ofhibernation that Wildlife Matters
is aware of occurred in thewinter of 2012 through to 13, when
the beech mast harvest offailed dormice hibernated continuously
for around 11 months, with oneadult female remaining inactive for
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346 days.
That's not sleeping away the winter.
That's sleeping away your life.
So how does hibernation work?
Well, hibernating animalsexperience significant changes in
their metabolism and body functions.
For example, in squirrels,their body temperature can drop as
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low as -2 and breathing rates decrease.
And bats can see their heartrates drop dramatically, from around
400 beats a minute to just 11.
While many people believe thatanimals go to sleep in autumn and
wake up in spring, hibernationis much more complex and mysterious
than that.
In fact, it isn't conventionalsleep in the traditional sense.
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Take hedgehogs, for example.
When a hedgehog naps insummer, its body temperature, which
is around 35 degrees C, dropsslightly and its breathing slows.
But remains steady and regular.
In contrast, duringhibernation, its temperature falls
to roughly the same level asthe surrounding environment.
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Its metabolic rate decreasesto just 2% of its regular summer
activity, and its heart ratecan drop from 110 to 150 beats per
minute to anywhere between 5and 70 beats per minute.
Breathing patterns changedrastically as well.
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When awake, a hedgehogbreathes around 25 times per minute
in a regular rhythmic manner.
But in deep hibernation, itcan remain motionless for up to two
hours hours without taking asingle breath.
And when it does breatheagain, it may take 40 to 50 rapid
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breaths that gradually taperoff until the next long pause.
Hedgehogs consume a lot offood and gain substantial fat reserves
before hibernation, whichserves as a fuel during this period.
These changes are profound,long lasting and deeply embedded
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in their biology.
Ultimately, whateverhibernation entails, it is far from
being simply asleep.
Do animals ever wake up duringhibernation, Though the physiological
changes are profound?
Usually no animal inhibernation remains completely torpid
for more than about 30 days atthe most, which is the case for the
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hazel dormouse.
Bouts of torpidity areregularly interrupted by periods
of so called euthymia, duringwhich the animal heats up, wakes
up, and may even move aroundfor several hours, possibly longer,
breaking its hibernation.
And this is a good opportunityto expel waste products and in certain
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conditions to have a snack.
Bats, particularlypipistrelles, occasionally venture
out on warm winter nights toforage for insects returning to their
hibernation with a slightlyfuller stomach.
They may also change theirroosting sites during the winter
if their current locationbecomes too hot or too cold.
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Many people are surprised tolearn that hibernation often includes
regular periods of waking and activity.
Hedgehogs are roused naturallyabout once every five to 27 days,
two to three times each winter.
They will use these breaks torelocate to another nest.
The onset of hibernation isgenerally governed by three day length,
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temperature and food supply.
There are also some gender andage differences.
Day length is usually thetrigger for the deep seated endogenous
changes and preparations.
If it were solely due to thephotoperiod, the effects of warming
would be mitigated.
The problem with climatechange is temperature, particularly
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the warming in spring, becausethis causes hibernators to emerge
too early from hibernationwhile their fat reserves are severely
depleted and before there isenough food for them to sustain themselves
in their environment.
A study of 14 species ofhibernators showed that for every
1 degree rise in annualtemperature, hibernation was on average
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8.6 days.
Shorter.
Survival was also impacted,decreasing by 5.1% for every degree
of warming over the same period.
Non hibernating rodentsremained unaffected.
In Britain, it has beendemonstrated that hazel dormice are
now hibernating for five weeksless than they did 20 years ago.
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Meanwhile, it is believed thatwarming is having a similar effect
on hedgehogs.
Hedgehog experts havesuggested that mild weather awakens
the animals prematurely in spring.
Temperature conditions inautumn may encourage females to breed
later and enter hibernationlater with compromised fat reserves.
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Among newts, the early springmigration to ponds is now a mid winter
phenomenon.
And reports of frogs coolingin January are more common than ever
before.
So how does this affect them?
Well, right now, nobody really knows.
Among insects, it is believedthat warmer winters may encourage
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the proliferation ofdestructive pathogens.
At the same time, it is alsopossible that some flowers are blooming
too early before the emergenceof enough bees to pollinate them.
As with so many aspects ofclimate science, cause and effect
are difficult to measure and prove.
Aestivation is similar tohibernation, but it occurs in animals
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living in hot climates thatare seeking to avoid extreme heat
or drought.
Many terrestrial and aquaticanimals, such as lungfish, earthworms,
snails, amphibians andreptiles such as tortoises, bury
themselves in the sand orground to protect themselves from
the high temperatures.
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In this state, they wait forthe arrival of the wet season or
cooler weather.
Some land snails even climbtrees to escape the heat of the ground,
sealing themselves insidetheir shells with dried mucus.
Unfortunately, a large numberof animals that aestivate may perish
due to prolonged drought.
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So what is torpor?
Torpor is a temporary state ofreduced physiological activity, typically
lasting less than a day.
During torpor, an animal'sbreathing, heartbeat, body temperature
and metabolism decrease significantly.
This response helps conserveenergy in the short term, enabling
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the animal to survive briefperiods of unfavorable conditions
such as cold nights.
Various bird species, as wellas small mammals such as bats, can
enter torpid daily.
However, one risk with torporis that animals become too sluggish
to escape from their predators.
Also a cold spell that laststoo long.
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In that case, the animal'sbody temperature may drop to dangerous
levels, potentially leading totheir death.
So that explains hibernation,the various types that animals go
through, and why some specieschoose these methods to overwinter.
And in the second part of ourWildlife Matters main feature, we
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will look specifically at whatyou can do to help hedgehogs who
may be looking to hibernate inyour garden and that's coming up
next on this week's WildlifeMatters Main feature.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Main feature,
which today is a comprehensivefeature guide to helping hedgehogs
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during the darker winter months.
Hedgehogs are enchantingcreatures that add a touch of joy
to our gardens whilstproviding an ecological benefit through
their presence.
Just imagine the sheer delightof spotting one of these charming
animals scurrying about inyour garden.
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This experience not onlybrings joy, but but also underscores
the importance of our role inencouraging their visits and ensuring
their well being.
As the temperatures begin todrop in October or November, hedgehogs
enter a state of hibernationthat generally lasts until March
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or April.
However, fascinating researchreveals that these remarkable animals
often shift their nestinglocations at least once throughout
the hibernation period, whichmeans there may be times when you
spot them wandering outside.
Even in the depths of winter.
And with the unpredictableeffects of climate change, winter
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weather may become milder andhedgehogs might remain more active
than they have done in the past.
This change could disrupttheir hibernation pattern, causing
them to stay awake longer oreven not hibernate as deeply, which
could affect their energyreserves and overall survival.
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Hibernation is crucial forhedgehogs as it allows them time
to conserve energy andwithstand the harshest of winter
conditions.
As dedicated wildlifegardeners and animal lovers, we can
significantly contribute totheir well being, comfort and indeed
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survival by taking thoughtfulactions that create a nurturing environment
during their hibernation period.
In this podcast, WildlifeMatters shares an array of effective
strategies to provide a havenfor hedgehogs throughout the winter
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months.
The first is creating hedgehogfriendly habitats.
One of the best ways you cansupport hedgehogs during their hibernation
is by creating suitablehabitat within your garden.
Simply by incorporating avariety of hiding spots such as leaf
piles, log piles orthoughtfully designed hedgehog houses,
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you can create a welcomingspace that encourages these delightful
animals to flourish.
Leaf piles serve as bothpotential nesting sites and a source
of cozy bedding material for hedgehogs.
As you tidy your garden,exercise caution when handling these
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piles as they may already behome to a resting hedgehog.
Log piles are anotherexcellent choice, providing a secure
location for breeding or hibernation.
Additionally, the decayinglogs attract beneficial insects which
serve as a food source forhedgehogs all year round.
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So gather any old dead woodfrom your garden or if permitted,
collect some from local parksor wildlife reserves and neatly pile
it in a quiet undisturbedcorner of your garden.
The larger the pile the betteras it will create a thriving habitat
for insects, an essential foodsource for hedgehogs.
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And remember to replenish thelogs over the time as they do decay.
While natural habitats areideal, establishing a hedgehog house
is also a valuable additionand these can be purchased from garden
centers or online, or you caneven build one at home from wood.
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Position the house in a quiet,sheltered and shaded location, preferably
against a wall or a fence andas far away from potential predators
as you can.
Make sure that the entrance isnot north or northeast facing, that
is to avoid chilly winds andleave a bundle of dried leaves nearby
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for the hedgehog to use as bedding.
Next, provide food and waterbecause before hedgehogs can settle
into hibernation, they need tostock up on food to ensure they have
enough energy reserves.
By providing a reliable feedfood source in your garden, you can
help sustain them through thecolder months.
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Ideal food options include drycat or dog food, which can be supplemented
with wet dog or cat food.
There are specialist hedgehogfoods available, but do be cautious
as their quality can vary andalways check the ingredients on the
packaging.
(37:12):
Remember that milk and dairyproducts are harmful to hedgehogs
because they are a lactose intolerant.
Additionally, avoid feedingthem bread as it may fill them up
without providing essentialnutrients, leaving them vulnerable
to the cold and illness.
If you notice that cats areeating the food meant for the hedgehogs,
(37:34):
try placing the food under ashelter made of old bricks or use
a container elevated on brickswith an entrance just wide enough
for hedgehogs to squeeze through.
If any food remains uneatenovernight, make it a habit to remove
leftovers each morning andreplace them with fresh offerings
(37:57):
every evening.
This practice helps avoidattracting unwanted wildlife and
prevents overfeeding your oryour neighbors, cats and dogs.
Research suggests that varyingthe feeding locations or scattering
food more naturally can helpreduce competition from other animals.
(38:19):
But most importantly,establish a consistent feeding schedule
and remember to keep your dogsand cats indoors for at least an
hour after you've fed thewildlife in the garden, as encounters
with dogs can lead to seriousinjuries for hedgehogs.
The next thing to do iseliminate your garden hazards to
(38:42):
create a more hedgehogfriendly environment.
Take steps to remove potentialhazards from your garden.
Firstly, look around the houseand garden for drains that may have
missing or broken covers andreplace them as needed.
Also, cover any open holesresulting from building or garden
(39:05):
projects.
And if you have roadworksnearby, always keep an eye on them
as they can pose a risk towandering hedgehogs as well.
Clear away any garden nettingused to protect vegetables and neatly
roll up nets on goal posts orother equipment to prevent entanglement
of hedgehogs, foxes or indeedany other wildlife.
(39:28):
You should also always avoidusing chemical pesticides or herbicides,
as these substances can harmbeneficial insects and accumulate
harmful toxins in largerwildlife such as hedgehogs.
If you have a pond, thenensure it has a shallow edge that
allows animals to swim to andclimb out of easily.
(39:51):
Similarly, if you own aswimming pool, make sure it is securely
covered and ideally drained toeliminate seamless safety hazards.
It's a good idea to encouragehedgehog access to your garden.
Hedgehogs are inherentlycurious and active creatures that
thrive in environments wherethey can roam freely and forage for
(40:14):
food, especially before orafter their hibernation period.
To support their naturalbehaviors, it's essential to provide
them with ample space to explore.
One way to enhance theirhabitat is by connecting your garden
to your neighbors and ideallyto the street and then onto a green
(40:36):
space which will significantlyincrease their chances of survival.
And you can do this just bymaking small access holes in your
fences or walls or under yourgates which allow hedgehogs safe
passage between your gardenand your neighbours.
Now, these openings shouldideally be around 13 centimeters
(41:02):
square, which is approximately5 inches square, to accommodate hedgehogs
whilst preventing other largeranimals, particularly cats, from
entering your garden.
We would love to hear from youif you decide to take any or perhaps
all of the actions we'vedetailed today to help you, your
(41:22):
local hedgehogs this winter,because your efforts can contribute
significantly to the survivalof your local hedgehogs and these
charming creatures in ourshared environments, fostering a
harmonious coexistence betweenhedgehog and human habitats.
(41:43):
And that has been this week'sWildlife Matters A main feature.
I hope today's WildlifeMatters main feature has broadened
your understanding ofhibernation and some of the other
ways our native wildlifesurvive winter here in Britain, and
(42:09):
that you will consider takingon some of the projects to help your
local hedgehogs.
Why not share the podcast withyour neighbors, family and friends?
Wildlife Matters will returnin two weeks with another in our
new series of a WildlifeMatters guide too, and this time
(42:29):
it's our guide to how you canhelp wildlife in your garden this
winter.
And don't forget to share yourwildlife and nature stories for us
to share on future podcasts.
You will find out emailaddress in the show notes and as
always, thank you for takingthe time to spend with us today.
(42:50):
Please like and subscribe soyou never miss an episode.
And please leave us a reviewwherever you get your podcasts as
this helps us to reach newwildlife and nature lovers in this
algorithm driven world.
Until next time, stay curiouswild ones.
(43:10):
This is Wildlife Matterssigning off.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters podcast.
As we release this episode,it's the 5th of November, so we'll
take a look at the impacts ofBonfire Night and fireworks on wildlife
and nature.
And for the first time, wehave a two part Wildlife Matters
main feature looking at hibernation.
(00:47):
In part one, we'll discuss whysome animals employ this or similar
winter survival strategies.
And in part two, we'll take alook at what you consider do to help
hedgehogs hibernating this winter.
This week's Wildlife Mattersmindful moment.
It's close to home for us asit was recorded at dusk in our garden.
(01:10):
But first, let's take a lookat the wildlife and nature stories
that have caught our attentionin this week's Wildlife Matters Nature
News.
Foreign welcome to this week'sWildlife Matters nature news.
(01:38):
Over 400 years after thefailed gunpowder plot, November 5th
remains an essential date inBritain, commonly known as Bonfire
Night.
But why do we celebrate afailed plot from centuries ago?
On 5 November 1604, 36 barrelsof gunpowder were discovered at the
(01:59):
palace of Westminster and aman named John Johnson was arrested.
Under torture, he revealed histrue identity as Guy Fawkes, one
of the conspirators aiming tospark an uprising, blowing up Parliament
and its leaders, including the King.
But today, Bonfire Nightcelebrations have evolved as many
(02:22):
more of us have pets and cansee the impact on them from the noise
of fireworks.
However, have you stopped tothink about wildlife for one moment?
From the garden birds to localfoxes, badgers and bats, the sound
of fireworks and the sight andsmell of fire are terrifying.
They will run for cover, oftengoing without food or drink.
(02:45):
And some may choose to hide inthat big pile of wood in the local
green space or in your back garden.
So at Wildlife Matters, wehave put together some tips to help
you protect all wildlife thisBonfire Night.
Lots of animals hibernate inNovember, and a large pile of sticks,
(03:06):
wood and garden waste oftenseems like the perfect spot for them
to sleep through winter.
The best way to protectwildlife on Bonfire Night is to avoid
having a bonfire at home altogether.
Why not check out the publicbonfire event in your community instead?
You can still make a log pilein your garden, but instead of setting
(03:27):
it on fire, leave it for thebugs, lizards and other small animals
to shelter through the winter in.
And if you choose to have abonfire in your garden, there are
steps that you can take toreduce the chances of harming your
local wildlife.
First, one, build your bonfire.
On the day many people pile uptheir garden waste over the weeks
(03:50):
leading up to bonfire nightand then set it on fire on the day.
And this is terrible news forhedgehogs and other animals who have
chosen to shelter inside.
By building your bonfire justbefore you light it, you will know
that no animals are shelteringinside of it.
Take apart your bonfire beforeyou light it.
(04:12):
Just suppose you've beenbuilding your bonfire over the days
and weeks leading up tobonfire night.
In that case, you shoulddisassemble and rebuild it just before
lighting it to ensure there isno wildlife inside.
If you do find wildlifeinside, carefully move it to a quiet
sheltered spot in your garden,such as a pile of twigs or your compost
(04:36):
bin.
Build your bonfire away from trees.
Bonfires can easily spread tooverhanging trees, harming the tree
and any wildlife that sheltersin it, such as birds.
Once a fire has spread to atree, it could then spread to your
neighbor's garden and even toyour home.
Clear the ground of leavesbefore building your bonfire.
(04:58):
You should build your bonfireon clear ground, removing any leaves
or other materials that couldprovide shelter for wildlife.
By raking these leaves awayand placing them in your compost
bin or in a quieter corner ofyour garden, you can allow any sheltering
animals like caterpillars, tocontinue hibernation.
(05:19):
Light your bonfire from one side.
By lighting your bonfire fromone side instead of from the centre,
you give hibernating animalsthe chance to escape.
You should still build yourbonfire on the day, though, to avoid
putting sheltering animalsthrough the stress of waking up to
find their home is on fire.
You should always keep waternearby in a bucket or if possible,
(05:44):
through a hose so that you canquickly put the fire out in an emergency.
If you have pets, you mayalready be aware that fireworks can
be terrifying for them.
Like our pets, wild animalsare also scared by the noise of fireworks.
Wildlife Matters recommendsthat instead of setting off your
(06:04):
own fireworks that youconsider attending a public firework
display or enjoying thefireworks from your window or garden.
By reducing the number ofindividuals setting off fireworks,
you will help decrease thedisturbance to wildlife caused by
the noise and lessen theplastic and air pollution generated
(06:24):
by the fireworks.
You should always avoidsetting off fireworks near wildlife.
Not only is it illegal todisturb certain animals such as barn
owls and bats, but it is alsocruel and insane sensitive to other
sentient beings.
Always remember, if wildlifeis nearby, don't set off fireworks.
(06:46):
Make the responsible choicefor the well being of our natural
world.
Our second story highlights aconservation success in Wales, as
the Beaver Viewing Centre hasbeen approved.
Following the designation ofbeavers as a protected species in
Wales, plans are underway toconstruct a beaver observatory, the
(07:07):
Cause Duvvy Nature Reserve inDerwentfleugh near Machalinnis, after
Powys Council grantedpermission based on an application
from the MontgomeryshireWildlife Trust.
Beavers became extinct inWales shortly after the Middle Ages
due to over hunting for theirfur, meat and scent glands.
(07:29):
By the end of the 16th 16thcentury they have become extinct
in the wild across Britain.
However, in recent times thespecies has reemerged in fenced enclosures
or reserves or has beendiscovered living in rivers due to
unlicensed releases and escapes.
The proposal for the courseDovey includes the construction of
(07:50):
an observation building,broadwalk access and a feeding station
that will feature a rampleading to the water.
Building will be elevatedabove ground level, equipped with
solar panels on its roof andit will consist of a single room
with seating.
The Montgomeryshire WildlifeTrust has committed to regularly
(08:11):
monitoring the enclosure inaccordance with its license from
Natural Resources WalesPlanning officer Aled Williams stated
that although the site islocated within a flood zone, it is
not considered that theproposed works would cause any flooding
implications and it is not avulnerable development.
Wildlife charities are callingfor the formal reintroduction of
(08:33):
beavers into the wild as theycan help mitigate the climate crisis
and enhance water quality.
Beavers are known as akeystone species and they play a
crucial role in enrichingbiodiversity by restoring and managing
river and wetland ecosystem systems.
A new project from the WelshWildlife Trust aims to support reintroduction
(08:55):
efforts by utilising beavermanagement strategies that have already
been successfully implementedin Scotland and Devon.
And our third story is fromone of our listeners, Phi Wharton
from the Leicestershire andRutland Wildlife Trust.
We've called it One Woman, AnOsprey and A Story of Two Continents.
(09:15):
Phi's journey began when shewas asked to develop a community
species recovery pilot projectas part of a river restoration initiative
specifically focusing on thewhite letter hairstreak butterfly.
She had her concerns becauseshe knew that the community engagement
comes not from directingpeople on what to do, but from understanding
(09:38):
what they want to do.
The first step is to capturetheir interest and engage them in
the project.
As she had anticipated, thelocal communities showed little interest
in the white letter hairstreet butterfly or indeed in planting
disease resistant elms to helpattract them.
Fee realized that localresidents were not sharing their
(10:01):
stories about nature and wildlife.
In fact, these topics rankedsolo on their list of priorities,
if they were even consideredat all.
But in Leicester, a city richin migration stories, diverse cultures
and resilience, an idea beganto take shape.
What if the key was not justwildlife, but the parallels between
(10:25):
people's stories and journeysand those of the wildlife themselves?
With this in mind, Fee inviteda group of local Leicester residents
to Rutland Water to meet Maya,one of the resident ospreys that
spends her summers there.
Maya is an experiencedperformer whose nest has been monitored
(10:47):
by webcams for several yearsnow, and her remarkable annual journey
to and from Africa is followedby hundreds of people.
By sheer coincidence, thatday, all 12 people who attended were
from Africa.
The beauty of that experiencewas that they understood Maia's story
(11:07):
and saw similaritiesreflecting their own journeys in
her flight, resilience andreturn, and they sat in silence as
they absorbed Maya'sincredible story.
Later that afternoon, in oneof the hides at Rutland Water, they
expanded the conversation toinclude swifts, the high silhouettes
(11:28):
that swooped through theLeicestershire during the summer.
Many in the group recognizedthe sights and sounds of the swifts,
but did not know their name orthat they shared an exciting backstory.
As they learned about theswifts remarkable lives, their migration
patterns, their decline andthe simple actions that could be
(11:48):
taken to help, a sense ofwonder filled the room.
Ideas and plans emerged on howthey as a community, could support
the swifts and other forms of wildlife.
And this is where the projecttruly began, not focusing on elm
trees for butterflies, but on swifts.
Soon they were busy installingswift boxes and sound callers on
(12:12):
mosques, churches, temples andcommunity halls.
And now the seasonal swiftshave plenty of options to build their
nests and raise record numbersof chicks each year in Rutland.
This is the kind of positivenews and success story that we love
to share from our listeners onthe Wildlife Matters podcast.
(12:35):
So if you do have a storyyou'd like to share with us, please
do get in touch.
You'll find our contactdetails in the show.
Notes that has been thisweek's Wildlife Matters Nature News.
(13:01):
We hope our Bonfire Night tipsmake this Bonfire night a safer one
for people and wildlife around Britain.
Please share them with anyoneyou know hosting a bonfire group
this week we were thrilled toshare the exciting news from Wales
we where people will soon beable to observe wild beavers at a
(13:21):
nature reserve.
And we were fortunate to spenda night watching wild beavers in
Devon, which if you missed it,you can catch it up in series six,
episode three from June 2024.
And it was great to feature alistener's story on this week's Wildlife
(13:42):
Matters Nature News and wewould love to share many more.
So please, if you have astory, share it with us.
You can record your own storyor send us a written version.
You will find our emailaddress in the Show Notes now it's
time for you to join me in theback garden, a small haven for local
(14:05):
wildlife, to listen to thesounds of the garden at dusk on this
week's Wildlife MattersMindful Moments.
(14:38):
It's It's I hope you enjoyedthe snuffling and the sniffling of
(15:41):
our local hedgehogs as theycame to feast on their cat biscuits
and water just before dusk onan early autumn evening.
We have seen five at one timebefore, but tonight it was three
A female, a young adult, andthen a little later a large male
who we call Alfie, a regularvisitor to the garden.
(16:04):
Live hedgehog snuffles on thisweek's Wildlife Matters Mindful Moments.
Now join us for the first timefor a two part Wildlife Matters main
feature as we ask what ishibernation and why do some wild
animals choose this to survive winter?
(16:25):
Before we take a deeper lookat hedgehog hibernation and what
you can do to help them inyour garden or local green space
this winter.
Hello, welcome to the firstpart of two main features this week.
That's the first on theWildlife Matters podcast, the first
(16:47):
part we are talkinghibernation and why some animals
use that strategy for winter survival.
You may have heard abouthibernation and be familiar with
some of the wildlife thathibernates in Britain.
But what are the differencesbetween hibernation, aestivation,
torpor and which animalsactually hibernate?
(17:12):
In simple terms, many of usthink that hibernating animals go
to sleep in the autumn andwake up in the spring in time for
the warmer weather.
But there's so much more tohibernation than that.
There are different states ofhibernation in hot or cold environments,
each with variable functions,durations and dangers to the animals
(17:36):
who use this strategy.
Hibernation is a survivalstrategy employed by many wild animals,
including butterflies andbats, to endure cold, dark winters
without needing to search forfood or migrate to warmer locations.
During hibernation, theseanimals lower their metabolisms to
(17:58):
conserve energy, so it'simportant to know that hibernation
is much more than just sleeping.
Depending on the species, thestate of hibernation can vary from
prolonged deep unconsciousnessto short periods of inactivity.
However, hibernation comeswith its risks.
Animals in a dormant state arevulnerable to predators and to unpredictable
(18:23):
weather.
So which animals hibernate?
Well, small mammals such asdormice, hedgehogs and bats.
Also many insects, amphibiansand reptiles.
Do all of Britain's mammals hibernate?
No.
There are only three types ofanimals in Britain that are true
hibernators, which are thedormouse, the hedgehog and.
(18:45):
And bats.
It isn't a very long list andsome omissions might surprise some
people.
What about mice and voles, for example?
Are they active and alert all winter?
And squirrels?
Well, they just don't stay awake.
They actually breed in January.
Shrews should be the perfect candidates.
(19:05):
They're small and fast moving,with bodies that lose heat rapidly,
a high metabolic rate andinsectivorous diet.
But in winter, they simplysleep for longer, hunt mostly underground
and rarely, if ever, dependingon the species, go torpid.
They don't hibernate.
(19:26):
In the autumn, all thebreeding adults die off, so that
the year's youngsters are leftto carry on the generations.
At the other end of the scale,the badger enters into a state known
as winter lethargy.
Between November and February,it spends most of its time underground,
gaining weight, and its bodytemperature may drop.
(19:48):
But that isn't hibernation.
Some insects, includingbutterflies, ladybirds and some of
the bee species, survive thewinter in their adult stage.
Among Britain's butterflies,nine species hibernate as eggs, 32
as caterpillars and 11 aspupae, and just six as adults.
(20:10):
The adult hibernating speciesinclude the brimstone red admiral,
the small tortoiseshell commapeacock and the rare Camberwell beauty.
In the case of butterflies,overwintering teeters between simple
torpor and diapause.
However, the insect appearsoutwardly to be an adult, but it
(20:33):
may not yet be reproductively mature.
All these adult insects areliable to be roused by unseasonably
sunny days.
It isn't unusual for peacockbutterflies to be spotted flying
around Christmas and New Yearin gardens, with newspapers subsequently
reporting on such activities.
And you might also findbutterflies on the move inside a
(20:56):
house where warm centralheating has roused them from their
hiding place.
Once again, this is neitherunusual nor necessarily a problem
for the butterfly, or indeedfor you.
The subsequent drop intemperature may send them back into
cover again to resume their dormancy.
However, there can be a shadowto sunny winter day forays.
(21:19):
A short arousal from torporwon't necessarily harm a butterfly
directly, but the costs of theenergy expended in flying about and
looking for a new hibernationsite may cause its stress, or later
on, it might run out of itsfat reserves and then die before
spring.
So which Reptiles andamphibians hibernate in the uk.
(21:42):
Well, frogs, toads and newtsall change their behaviour as soon
as the frosts start.
From around October, allretreat to secluded spots on land
away from direct exposure tothe elements.
That could be under logs orpiles of stones, inside a hole in
the ground, or indeed in acompost heap.
(22:03):
The latter are particularlyfavored by slow worms, often in groups.
While other lizards hibernatealone in small hollows, Natterjack
toads bury themselves into thesand, while all British snakes select
sites such as disused rabbitburrows for communal quarters, which
are known as hibernacula.
(22:25):
On occasion, toads, newts andlizards, and sometimes even snakes
will all gravitate to the same hollow.
All of these exothermicvertebrates can be roused by warm
winter days.
Frogs may hunt for food andsnakes bask in the weak sunshine.
The common frog is uniqueamongst amphibians because adult
(22:46):
males will often hibernate inthe mud at the bottom of ponds during
the winter.
They can breathe by exchanginggases through their skin rather than
using their lungs.
Since they remain inactiveduring this time, they consume very
little energy.
This arrangement works well inmost winters.
However, it can be fatal ifthe pond freezes over completely.
(23:10):
Mammals prepare forhibernation by feeding heavily in
late summer and autumn,storing fat to see them through the
winter months.
But hibernation can bedangerous to them too.
Animals may die duringhibernation due to a lack of fat
reserves, severe weatherconditions or premature awakening
(23:31):
from hibernation.
Plus they can all bevulnerable to predation.
The longest period ofhibernation that Wildlife Matters
is aware of occurred in thewinter of 2012 through to 13, when
the beech mast harvest offailed dormice hibernated continuously
for around 11 months, with oneadult female remaining inactive for
(23:55):
346 days.
That's not sleeping away the winter.
That's sleeping away your life.
So how does hibernation work?
Well, hibernating animalsexperience significant changes in
their metabolism and body functions.
For example, in squirrels,their body temperature can drop as
(24:16):
low as -2 and breathing rates decrease.
And bats can see their heartrates drop dramatically, from around
400 beats a minute to just 11.
While many people believe thatanimals go to sleep in autumn and
wake up in spring, hibernationis much more complex and mysterious
than that.
In fact, it isn't conventionalsleep in the traditional sense.
(24:41):
Take hedgehogs, for example.
When a hedgehog naps insummer, its body temperature, which
is around 35 degrees C, dropsslightly and its breathing slows.
But remains steady and regular.
In contrast, duringhibernation, its temperature falls
to roughly the same level asthe surrounding environment.
(25:03):
Its metabolic rate decreasesto just 2% of its regular summer
activity, and its heart ratecan drop from 110 to 150 beats per
minute to anywhere between 5and 70 beats per minute.
Breathing patterns changedrastically as well.
(25:24):
When awake, a hedgehogbreathes around 25 times per minute
in a regular rhythmic manner.
But in deep hibernation, itcan remain motionless for up to two
hours hours without taking asingle breath.
And when it does breatheagain, it may take 40 to 50 rapid
(25:44):
breaths that gradually taperoff until the next long pause.
Hedgehogs consume a lot offood and gain substantial fat reserves
before hibernation, whichserves as a fuel during this period.
These changes are profound,long lasting and deeply embedded
(26:04):
in their biology.
Ultimately, whateverhibernation entails, it is far from
being simply asleep.
Do animals ever wake up duringhibernation, Though the physiological
changes are profound?
Usually no animal inhibernation remains completely torpid
for more than about 30 days atthe most, which is the case for the
(26:28):
hazel dormouse.
Bouts of torpidity areregularly interrupted by periods
of so called euthymia, duringwhich the animal heats up, wakes
up, and may even move aroundfor several hours, possibly longer,
breaking its hibernation.
And this is a good opportunityto expel waste products and in certain
(26:50):
conditions to have a snack.
Bats, particularlypipistrelles, occasionally venture
out on warm winter nights toforage for insects returning to their
hibernation with a slightlyfuller stomach.
They may also change theirroosting sites during the winter
if their current locationbecomes too hot or too cold.
(27:12):
Many people are surprised tolearn that hibernation often includes
regular periods of waking and activity.
Hedgehogs are roused naturallyabout once every five to 27 days,
two to three times each winter.
They will use these breaks torelocate to another nest.
The onset of hibernation isgenerally governed by three day length,
(27:38):
temperature and food supply.
There are also some gender andage differences.
Day length is usually thetrigger for the deep seated endogenous
changes and preparations.
If it were solely due to thephotoperiod, the effects of warming
would be mitigated.
The problem with climatechange is temperature, particularly
(28:00):
the warming in spring, becausethis causes hibernators to emerge
too early from hibernationwhile their fat reserves are severely
depleted and before there isenough food for them to sustain themselves
in their environment.
A study of 14 species ofhibernators showed that for every
1 degree rise in annualtemperature, hibernation was on average
(28:25):
8.6 days.
Shorter.
Survival was also impacted,decreasing by 5.1% for every degree
of warming over the same period.
Non hibernating rodentsremained unaffected.
In Britain, it has beendemonstrated that hazel dormice are
now hibernating for five weeksless than they did 20 years ago.
(28:49):
Meanwhile, it is believed thatwarming is having a similar effect
on hedgehogs.
Hedgehog experts havesuggested that mild weather awakens
the animals prematurely in spring.
Temperature conditions inautumn may encourage females to breed
later and enter hibernationlater with compromised fat reserves.
(29:09):
Among newts, the early springmigration to ponds is now a mid winter
phenomenon.
And reports of frogs coolingin January are more common than ever
before.
So how does this affect them?
Well, right now, nobody really knows.
Among insects, it is believedthat warmer winters may encourage
(29:31):
the proliferation ofdestructive pathogens.
At the same time, it is alsopossible that some flowers are blooming
too early before the emergenceof enough bees to pollinate them.
As with so many aspects ofclimate science, cause and effect
are difficult to measure and prove.
Aestivation is similar tohibernation, but it occurs in animals
(29:55):
living in hot climates thatare seeking to avoid extreme heat
or drought.
Many terrestrial and aquaticanimals, such as lungfish, earthworms,
snails, amphibians andreptiles such as tortoises, bury
themselves in the sand orground to protect themselves from
the high temperatures.
(30:16):
In this state, they wait forthe arrival of the wet season or
cooler weather.
Some land snails even climbtrees to escape the heat of the ground,
sealing themselves insidetheir shells with dried mucus.
Unfortunately, a large numberof animals that aestivate may perish
due to prolonged drought.
(30:37):
So what is torpor?
Torpor is a temporary state ofreduced physiological activity, typically
lasting less than a day.
During torpor, an animal'sbreathing, heartbeat, body temperature
and metabolism decrease significantly.
This response helps conserveenergy in the short term, enabling
(31:00):
the animal to survive briefperiods of unfavorable conditions
such as cold nights.
Various bird species, as wellas small mammals such as bats, can
enter torpid daily.
However, one risk with torporis that animals become too sluggish
to escape from their predators.
Also a cold spell that laststoo long.
(31:22):
In that case, the animal'sbody temperature may drop to dangerous
levels, potentially leading totheir death.
So that explains hibernation,the various types that animals go
through, and why some specieschoose these methods to overwinter.
And in the second part of ourWildlife Matters main feature, we
(31:46):
will look specifically at whatyou can do to help hedgehogs who
may be looking to hibernate inyour garden and that's coming up
next on this week's WildlifeMatters Main feature.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Main feature,
which today is a comprehensivefeature guide to helping hedgehogs
(32:09):
during the darker winter months.
Hedgehogs are enchantingcreatures that add a touch of joy
to our gardens whilstproviding an ecological benefit through
their presence.
Just imagine the sheer delightof spotting one of these charming
animals scurrying about inyour garden.
(32:30):
This experience not onlybrings joy, but but also underscores
the importance of our role inencouraging their visits and ensuring
their well being.
As the temperatures begin todrop in October or November, hedgehogs
enter a state of hibernationthat generally lasts until March
(32:52):
or April.
However, fascinating researchreveals that these remarkable animals
often shift their nestinglocations at least once throughout
the hibernation period, whichmeans there may be times when you
spot them wandering outside.
Even in the depths of winter.
And with the unpredictableeffects of climate change, winter
(33:16):
weather may become milder andhedgehogs might remain more active
than they have done in the past.
This change could disrupttheir hibernation pattern, causing
them to stay awake longer oreven not hibernate as deeply, which
could affect their energyreserves and overall survival.
(33:37):
Hibernation is crucial forhedgehogs as it allows them time
to conserve energy andwithstand the harshest of winter
conditions.
As dedicated wildlifegardeners and animal lovers, we can
significantly contribute totheir well being, comfort and indeed
(33:57):
survival by taking thoughtfulactions that create a nurturing environment
during their hibernation period.
In this podcast, WildlifeMatters shares an array of effective
strategies to provide a havenfor hedgehogs throughout the winter
(34:18):
months.
The first is creating hedgehogfriendly habitats.
One of the best ways you cansupport hedgehogs during their hibernation
is by creating suitablehabitat within your garden.
Simply by incorporating avariety of hiding spots such as leaf
piles, log piles orthoughtfully designed hedgehog houses,
(34:41):
you can create a welcomingspace that encourages these delightful
animals to flourish.
Leaf piles serve as bothpotential nesting sites and a source
of cozy bedding material for hedgehogs.
As you tidy your garden,exercise caution when handling these
(35:02):
piles as they may already behome to a resting hedgehog.
Log piles are anotherexcellent choice, providing a secure
location for breeding or hibernation.
Additionally, the decayinglogs attract beneficial insects which
serve as a food source forhedgehogs all year round.
(35:23):
So gather any old dead woodfrom your garden or if permitted,
collect some from local parksor wildlife reserves and neatly pile
it in a quiet undisturbedcorner of your garden.
The larger the pile the betteras it will create a thriving habitat
for insects, an essential foodsource for hedgehogs.
(35:45):
And remember to replenish thelogs over the time as they do decay.
While natural habitats areideal, establishing a hedgehog house
is also a valuable additionand these can be purchased from garden
centers or online, or you caneven build one at home from wood.
(36:06):
Position the house in a quiet,sheltered and shaded location, preferably
against a wall or a fence andas far away from potential predators
as you can.
Make sure that the entrance isnot north or northeast facing, that
is to avoid chilly winds andleave a bundle of dried leaves nearby
(36:29):
for the hedgehog to use as bedding.
Next, provide food and waterbecause before hedgehogs can settle
into hibernation, they need tostock up on food to ensure they have
enough energy reserves.
By providing a reliable feedfood source in your garden, you can
help sustain them through thecolder months.
(36:51):
Ideal food options include drycat or dog food, which can be supplemented
with wet dog or cat food.
There are specialist hedgehogfoods available, but do be cautious
as their quality can vary andalways check the ingredients on the
packaging.
(37:12):
Remember that milk and dairyproducts are harmful to hedgehogs
because they are a lactose intolerant.
Additionally, avoid feedingthem bread as it may fill them up
without providing essentialnutrients, leaving them vulnerable
to the cold and illness.
If you notice that cats areeating the food meant for the hedgehogs,
(37:34):
try placing the food under ashelter made of old bricks or use
a container elevated on brickswith an entrance just wide enough
for hedgehogs to squeeze through.
If any food remains uneatenovernight, make it a habit to remove
leftovers each morning andreplace them with fresh offerings
(37:57):
every evening.
This practice helps avoidattracting unwanted wildlife and
prevents overfeeding your oryour neighbors, cats and dogs.
Research suggests that varyingthe feeding locations or scattering
food more naturally can helpreduce competition from other animals.
(38:19):
But most importantly,establish a consistent feeding schedule
and remember to keep your dogsand cats indoors for at least an
hour after you've fed thewildlife in the garden, as encounters
with dogs can lead to seriousinjuries for hedgehogs.
The next thing to do iseliminate your garden hazards to
(38:42):
create a more hedgehogfriendly environment.
Take steps to remove potentialhazards from your garden.
Firstly, look around the houseand garden for drains that may have
missing or broken covers andreplace them as needed.
Also, cover any open holesresulting from building or garden
(39:05):
projects.
And if you have roadworksnearby, always keep an eye on them
as they can pose a risk towandering hedgehogs as well.
Clear away any garden nettingused to protect vegetables and neatly
roll up nets on goal posts orother equipment to prevent entanglement
of hedgehogs, foxes or indeedany other wildlife.
(39:28):
You should also always avoidusing chemical pesticides or herbicides,
as these substances can harmbeneficial insects and accumulate
harmful toxins in largerwildlife such as hedgehogs.
If you have a pond, thenensure it has a shallow edge that
allows animals to swim to andclimb out of easily.
(39:51):
Similarly, if you own aswimming pool, make sure it is securely
covered and ideally drained toeliminate seamless safety hazards.
It's a good idea to encouragehedgehog access to your garden.
Hedgehogs are inherentlycurious and active creatures that
thrive in environments wherethey can roam freely and forage for
(40:14):
food, especially before orafter their hibernation period.
To support their naturalbehaviors, it's essential to provide
them with ample space to explore.
One way to enhance theirhabitat is by connecting your garden
to your neighbors and ideallyto the street and then onto a green
(40:36):
space which will significantlyincrease their chances of survival.
And you can do this just bymaking small access holes in your
fences or walls or under yourgates which allow hedgehogs safe
passage between your gardenand your neighbours.
Now, these openings shouldideally be around 13 centimeters
(41:02):
square, which is approximately5 inches square, to accommodate hedgehogs
whilst preventing other largeranimals, particularly cats, from
entering your garden.
We would love to hear from youif you decide to take any or perhaps
all of the actions we'vedetailed today to help you, your
(41:22):
local hedgehogs this winter,because your efforts can contribute
significantly to the survivalof your local hedgehogs and these
charming creatures in ourshared environments, fostering a
harmonious coexistence betweenhedgehog and human habitats.
(41:43):
And that has been this week'sWildlife Matters A main feature.
I hope today's WildlifeMatters main feature has broadened
your understanding ofhibernation and some of the other
ways our native wildlifesurvive winter here in Britain, and
(42:09):
that you will consider takingon some of the projects to help your
local hedgehogs.
Why not share the podcast withyour neighbors, family and friends?
Wildlife Matters will returnin two weeks with another in our
new series of a WildlifeMatters guide too, and this time
(42:29):
it's our guide to how you canhelp wildlife in your garden this
winter.
And don't forget to share yourwildlife and nature stories for us
to share on future podcasts.
You will find out emailaddress in the show notes and as
always, thank you for takingthe time to spend with us today.
(42:50):
Please like and subscribe soyou never miss an episode.
And please leave us a reviewwherever you get your podcasts as
this helps us to reach newwildlife and nature lovers in this
algorithm driven world.
Until next time, stay curiouswild ones.
(43:10):
This is Wildlife Matterssigning off.
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